🔗 Share this article

Throughout the 2016 US presidential election campaign, Hungary's prime minister stood out as the sole European Union leader to support the Republican candidate. This backing came as no shock, in light of Mr Orbán's adoption of controversial theories including the "great replacement" theory and the crackdowns on press independence. Analysts have noted that Mr Orbán more or less laid the groundwork for Trump's base, with one-time strategist Steve Bannon once praising him as Trump's forerunner.

Campaign Assistance Ahead of the Hungarian Vote

Recently, with key votes in Hungary merely six months away, the US president returned some political favors. As Mr Orbán pursues a fifth consecutive term governing a country he calls an illiberal democracy, his political group is behind in opinion polls. A meeting to Washington produced not just Trump campaign souvenirs; it brought considerably more valuable pre-election gifts.

Special Treatment and Financial Shields

Even though previously instructing European nations on the imperative to halt all resource supplies from Russia, and warning of sanctions against nations continuing to import Russian energy, Mr Trump agreed to grant a particular exclusion for Hungary – the top consumer among EU members of Russian crude. As Orbán stated, the American leadership also agreed to provide a fiscal buffer to the Hungarian authorities should it encounters any upcoming challenges, particularly since EU institutions continues to withhold large sums from the EU to the nation due to failures to uphold the rule of law.

The details of this agreement seem unclear. Yet Donald Trump illustrated his readiness to help out ideological allies when the America provided a $20bn emergency credit line to the Argentine leader, Argentina's president. Although Orbán failed to obtain a Trump trip to Budapest to Budapest, the Oval Office meeting still turned out to be a productive session.

Brussels' Worries and International Implications

Among European leaders, Trump's actions probably highlighted the international consequences of the forthcoming polls, ahead of which the opposition candidate, Péter Magyar, holds a comfortable lead in surveys. EU chiefs know not to anticipate steady principles from the Trump administration, and have grown used to the US president’s attempts to undermine the EU. However Mr Orbán’s exemption – secured through an pledge to purchase US gas and nuclear energy – flagrantly undermines EU aspirations to eliminate imports of Russian energy by the year 2027.

• Starting in 2022, the two biggest EU importers of Russian oil, Hungary and Slovakia, have contributed substantial funds to the Moscow's war operations.
• Simultaneously, Budapest has consistently deployed the veto power to impede moves in negotiations for Ukraine's EU membership.
• As the EU attempts to develop a cohesive plan for aiding the Ukrainian government, and strengthening its hand in any future peace negotiations, Orbán's pro-Russia stance at the diplomatic table is still a key barrier.

Rival's Approach

Péter Magyar has avoided vowing a major policy shift on Ukraine, and directed his efforts on home affairs, while highlighting the importance for the country to finally behave as a positive member state. After enduring persistent provocations, Brussels can only remain patient. The Hungarian leader's apathy to core EU ideals, such as the support for minority protections and the independence of civil society institutions, has long been a humiliating embarrassment for the European Union. His persistent opposition toward Ukraine risks undermining its future security.