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Throughout the 2016 campaign for the US presidency, Viktor Orbán emerged as the only head of an EU nation to endorse Donald Trump. This backing came as no shock, given the Hungarian leader's adoption of contentious notions like great replacement ideology and the crackdowns on journalistic liberties. Commentators have noted that Hungary's premier more or less wrote the playbook for the Make America Great Again campaign, with ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon lauding him as Trump's forerunner.

Campaign Assistance Before the Hungarian Vote

Recently, with crucial Hungarian elections merely six months away, the US president returned some political favors. While Orbán pursues a fifth consecutive term presiding over a country he calls an illiberal democracy, his ruling party is behind in surveys. An official trip to Washington produced beyond a few signed Maga baseball caps; it secured highly beneficial electoral advantages.

Energy Exemptions and Fiscal Safeguards

Even though before instructing European nations on the imperative to eliminate all resource supplies from the Russian Federation, and threatening restrictions against nations continuing to import Russian energy, the US president approved to provide a special exemption for Hungary – the biggest user in the EU of Russian oil. According to Mr Orbán, the US government also promised to provide a fiscal buffer to the Hungarian authorities should it encounters any future difficulties, particularly since Brussels continues to withhold billions in EU funding to Hungary because of rule-of-law breaches.

The specifics of this deal are somewhat murky. But the US president recently demonstrated his readiness to support ideological allies as the America granted a a $20 billion loan to the Argentine leader, the South American leader. Although the Hungarian PM was unable to arrange a Trump trip to Budapest to Budapest, the Oval Office meeting nevertheless proved a productive session.

EU Concerns and International Implications

In the corridors of the EU, Trump's actions probably emphasized the international consequences of the coming election, prior to which the centrist challenger, Péter Magyar, enjoys a clear edge in surveys. Heads of state have learned not to anticipate steady principles from the Trump administration, and accept the Trump's moves to diminish the bloc. But the special treatment for Orbán – obtained in exchange for an pledge to purchase American natural gas and nuclear power – flagrantly undermines European goals to end Russian fossil fuel imports by the year 2027.

• Starting in 2022, the top importers in the EU of Russian crude, Hungary and Slovakia, have funneled well over £10bn to the Kremlin’s war effort.
• At the same time, Hungary has repeatedly used the blocking vote to hinder advancement in Ukraine's bid to join the EU.
• While Europe works to forge a unified and effective strategy for backing Ukraine, and bolstering its position in any future peace negotiations, Orbán's pro-Russia stance at the negotiating table remains a significant obstacle.

Opposition Stance

The opposition candidate has steered clear of pledging a drastic turnaround on Ukraine, and focused his campaigning on internal matters, while highlighting the necessity for the country to begin operating as a productive EU partner. After years of persistent provocations, Brussels can only wait and hope. Mr Orbán’s indifference to fundamental European principles, such as the support for minority protections and the autonomy of civic groups, has long been a deeply troubling issue for the European Union. His ongoing blocking tactics toward Ukrainian matters threatens to weaken its security prospects.