STORY: Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met ally and former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Serbia, as seen in a handout video released on Saturday (October 31).

Vucic welcomed Orban to what he said was his father's house near Belgrade, calling him a close friend and brother. He acknowledged both had recently lost elections but not their dignity or faith. Orban expressed solidarity and reaffirmed his commitment to strong Serbia-Hungary ties. Vucic closed with a pledge to return to power.

The meeting brought together two long-time allies at a low point in both their political careers. Vucic's defeat by a student-backed protest movement marked a reversal, while Orban's ouster six months earlier had ended 16 years of uninterrupted rule in Hungary. Both had maintained close ties with Moscow, and their respective defeats were seen as a setback for Moscow's influence in Europe.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: GIVEN AS NEAR BELGRADE, SERBIA (RELEASED OCTOBER 31, 2026) (ALEKSANDAR VUCIC VIA X - No resales. No archive. Must on-screen courtesy 'Aleksandar Vucic via X'.)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER SERBIAN PRESIDENT, ALEKSANDAR VUCIC, SAYING:

“I'm very happy to (be) hosting Viktor Orban, my great friend, my brother. And we'll have some good time here in my father's house close to Belgrade. And yes, we both recently lost elections, but we didn't lose our dignity, our pride, and our faith. And you are very welcome Viktor.”

/ (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER, VIKTOR ORBAN, SAYING (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOT OF ORBAN SPEAKING):

“Thank you very much for the invitation. I'm very happy to be here. You know, friends always remain friends, the real friends even got better friends in the time of difficulties, and you can be sure yourself, personally, Alexander, that I'm always on your side. Plus, you know that it was more than just a friendship between the two of us; it was a great achievement to improve the relationship, even brotherhood, between Serbia and Hungary, Serbs and Hungarians. I'm still devoted to continue that. I hope that Serbs and Serbia will be successful in the future, and I wish all the best to you, to your family, to your nation, and God bless you.”

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER SERBIAN PRESIDENT, ALEKSANDAR VUCIC, SAYING:

“We will come back.”