U.S. sanctions deepen rift with Hungary over Russian ties

The strained relationship between the United States and Hungary has been highlighted by a leak of classified U.S. intelligence documents and the U.S. Treasury's decision to sanction the Hungary-based International Investment Bank, which is dubbed Russia's "spy bank." The U.S. ambassador to Hungary expressed concerns over Budapest's eagerness to deepen ties with Russia, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has aggravated the United States and European allies by extending his country's energy ties to Russia and stymying the Western response to the war in Ukraine.