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In the course of the 2016 campaign for the US presidency, Viktor Orbán stood out as the exclusive European Union leader to back the Republican candidate. This backing was expected, considering the Hungarian leader's championing of divisive theories like the "great replacement" theory and the restrictions against press independence. Observers have noted that Hungary's premier essentially pioneered the Maga movement, with former White House strategist Steve Bannon once praising him as Trump's forerunner.

Campaign Assistance Ahead of Hungary's Polls

In recent days, amid pivotal polls in Hungary merely six months away, the American leader returned some political favors. As Mr Orbán seeks a fifth straight win leading a nation he labels an illiberal state, his Fidesz party is behind in the polls. A meeting to the US capital produced beyond a few signed Maga baseball caps; it secured far more significant pre-election gifts.

Special Treatment and Fiscal Safeguards

Even though before lecturing European nations on the need to halt all resource supplies from the Russian Federation, and threatening restrictions against countries still to buy Russian oil, Mr Trump agreed to provide a particular exclusion for Hungary – the largest EU consumer of Russian oil. As Orbán stated, the US government also pledged to extend a economic protection to Budapest should it runs into any upcoming challenges, given that Brussels continues to withhold large sums from the EU to Hungary because of violations of legal standards.

The particulars of this arrangement remain somewhat murky. Yet the US president has shown his readiness to support ideological allies after the United States granted a $20bn emergency credit line to the Argentine leader, the South American leader. While Orbán failed to obtain a campaign-energising Trump visit to the Hungarian capital, the discussions still was a profitable day’s work.

Brussels' Worries and International Implications

Among European leaders, the US president's move likely highlighted the geopolitical stakes of the upcoming vote, prior to which the moderate contender, Péter Magyar, has a clear edge in the polls. Heads of state know not to expect steady principles from the Trump White House, and are familiar with the Trump's attempts to undermine the bloc. However the special treatment for Orbán – obtained in exchange for an deal to acquire American natural gas and nuclear power – flagrantly undermines European goals to end Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027.

• Since 2022, the largest EU buyers of Russian crude, these two countries, have provided well over £10bn to the Moscow's war operations.
• Meanwhile, the Hungarian government has consistently deployed the threat of its veto to impede moves in negotiations for Ukraine's EU membership.
• As the EU attempts to develop a cohesive plan for supporting Kyiv, and strengthening its hand in any later diplomatic discussions, the Hungarian leader's alignment with Moscow at the international forums is still a key barrier.

Challenger's Position

Mr Magyar has steered clear of promising a significant change on the war in Ukraine, and focused his campaigning on home affairs, while stressing the need for Hungary to finally behave as a constructive EU member. After years of so many years of trolling, Brussels can only wait and hope. Mr Orbán’s indifference to basic EU values, including the support for minority protections and the freedom of non-governmental organizations, has remained a humiliating embarrassment for the EU. His ongoing blocking tactics on Ukrainian matters could harm its future security.