Former United States Ambassador to Hungary & U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Security Council (Personal Account). inquiries@davidpressman.com
Budapest, Hungary
Joined June 2014
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Went wandering around Budapest, a city I love, with @nytimes. Layer upon layer of history, and one lesson running through all of it: moving forward means facing honestly what came before. True for every democracy.
nytimes.com/2026/11/06/t-mag…
For too long, Hungary's previous government used Ukraine as a political prop, stoking grievance for votes. Today Magyar and Zelenskyy met as neighbors. Real progress on minority rights and EU talks shows how much more is possible when leaders choose cooperation.
I held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels.
I welcomed the political agreement between Hungary and Ukraine on strengthening the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia.
We see the Ukrainian Parliament’s adoption of the minority education law and the immediate start of its implementation as a first step towards rebuilding mutual trust.
I thanked the Ukrainian Parliament for its September resolution recognising the crimes committed against Hungarians in Transcarpathia through forced labour and mass deportations between 1944 and 1946.
President @ZelenskyyUa and I agreed to continue talks at ministerial level, with a special focus on improving the situation of minorities in both countries.
We also agreed that it is in both countries’ interests to build a new foundation for our political and economic relations.
I expressed my full solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal aggression, which has continued for almost five years.
Hungary is ready to use every possible diplomatic means to help achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible and secure lasting peace.
Viktor Orbán spent huge amounts of public money on propaganda telling Hungarians equality and love were threats...all while Hungary's economy suffocated. Today the Prime Minister called both a fundamental right. Szabadság és szerelem. Principled leadership from @magyarpeterMP.
David Pressman retweeted
Great piece by CAP Senior Fellow David Pressman on the parallels on education policy between Orban's Hungary and the US.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/…
washingtonpost.com/opinions/…
David Pressman retweeted
"In Yale’s fight with the Trump administration, the tools of the federal government are being used not to advance nondiscrimination and academic freedom, but to undermine them."
trib.al/7k5hTyA
David Pressman retweeted
"Yale’s board members will own — as individuals — whatever Yale does next,” writes former U.S. education secretary @arneduncan and former U.S. ambassador to Hungary @AmbPressman. wapo.st/4h7IMiB
David Pressman retweeted
"Authoritarianism doesn’t have to involve..dragging people into cars...Orban showed that...pockets of independence can be rendered pliable by making them believe that the smart move is to affirmatively sacrifice some of their independence." @yale wapo.st/3RW4HPo
David Pressman retweeted
"Yale University's board of trustees could soon decide on a possible 'deal' with the Trump administration ... But to assign responsibility to a 'board of trustees' is to assign it to no one. Yale's board members will own -- as individuals -- whatever Yale does next."
I think of George Shultz, who said something like this: "They tell me, 'The White House is calling.' I say, '*Who* at the White House? The White House is a building.'" washingtonpost.com/opinions/…
David Pressman retweeted
Important piece.
“Boards of trustees are composed of people with agency. The foes of government intrusion must personalize to demand accountability from people with maximal power, resources and protection.
So we address Yale’s trustees directly.”
washingtonpost.com/opinions/…
A lesson from Hungary: Boards don’t capitulate to authoritarians. The people on them do. wapo.st/3RW4HPo
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David Pressman retweeted
Almost a year and a half since I walked out of USAID's headquarters for the last time. I spoke with @NPR about the grief — for the 15,000 people who served faithfully, for the programs that were saving lives, for the brand of American goodwill that took 60+ years to build. And about the hope that it can be rebuilt. Full interview here: npr.org/2026/07/03/nx-s1-587…
Some institutions exist for exactly the moment we’re in. @freedomhouse - founded to combat fascism, built by visionaries like Eleanor Roosevelt - is one of them. Honored to join its Board of Trustees at this critical time for democracy.
Just Announced: Freedom House Welcomes New Board Members Margaret Hoover, David Pressman. Learn more: freedomhouse.org/article/fre…
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My heart is in Budapest today as Hungarians celebrate new hope and new leadership. Congratulations Mr. Prime Minister. @magyarpeterMP
David Pressman retweeted
This is such an interesting interview
"Magyar wasn't engaging in a policy debate... His framing was Viktor Orbán and Fidesz are a criminal organization and we need to dismantle this... he connected the impact of the criminal organization to these rural Hungarians' experience."
@AmbPressman on how Magyar beat Orbán.
David Pressman retweeted
THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT
"Magyar wasn't engaging in a policy debate... His framing was Viktor Orbán and Fidesz are a criminal organization and we need to dismantle this... he connected the impact of the criminal organization to these rural Hungarians' experience."
@AmbPressman on how Magyar beat Orbán.
David Pressman retweeted
NEW. Our excellent former ambassador to Hungary, David Pressman, on lessons to be learned from Orban's defeat--including the centrality of the anti-corruption/anti-kleptocracy message, and the importance of Peter Magyar's personal courage and boldness.
youtu.be/Zqvd7S5YiRo?si=SR7r…
David Pressman retweeted
"Magyar wasn't engaging in a policy debate... His framing was Viktor Orbán and Fidesz are a criminal organization and we need to dismantle this... he connected the impact of the criminal organization to these rural Hungarians' experience."
@AmbPressman on how Magyar beat Orbán.
David Pressman retweeted
"These are brave Hungarians who believe in their country." Viktor Orbán's resounding defeat is a symbol of resiliency and hope that resonates far beyond Hungary. Hear from CAP Senior Fellow @AmbPressman: