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In the course of the 2016 campaign for the US presidency, Viktor Orbán emerged as the sole European Union leader to endorse the Republican candidate. This alignment came as no shock, given Mr Orbán's adoption of controversial ideas including the "great replacement" theory and his restrictions against press independence. Analysts observe that Mr Orbán practically laid the groundwork for Trump's base, with ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon lauding Orbán as Trump's forerunner.

Political Favors Ahead of the Hungarian Vote

Last week, amid pivotal polls in Hungary merely six months away, the US president returned some political favors. As Mr Orbán aims for a fifth term in office governing a country he calls an non-liberal system, his political group currently trails in opinion polls. A meeting to the US capital resulted in beyond Trump campaign souvenirs; it obtained far more significant campaign boosts.

Special Treatment and Financial Shields

Although previously instructing European nations on the necessity to stop all energy imports from Russia, and warning of sanctions against nations still to purchase Russian crude, Donald Trump approved to provide a unique waiver for Hungary – the largest EU consumer of Russian oil. According to Mr Orbán, the US government also agreed to offer a fiscal buffer to the Hungarian authorities if it encounters any future difficulties, especially as Brussels continues to withhold billions in EU funding to the nation due to violations of legal standards.

The specifics of this deal are vague. Yet the US president illustrated his readiness to support ideological allies after the America extended a $20bn emergency credit line to Argentina’s far-right president, Argentina's president. Although Orbán did not secure a campaign-energising Trump visit to the Hungarian capital, the Washington talks nonetheless was a profitable day’s work.

Brussels' Worries and International Implications

Within EU circles, Mr Trump’s intervention likely further underlined the international consequences of the forthcoming polls, before which the centrist challenger, Péter Magyar, has a clear edge in the polls. European leaders have learned not to anticipate steady principles from the Trump administration, and are familiar with the Trump's moves to diminish the European Union. But Mr Orbán’s exemption – obtained in exchange for an deal to acquire American energy resources – blatantly weakens European goals to eliminate Russian oil and gas by the year 2027.

• Since 2022, the two biggest EU importers of Russian oil, these two countries, have funneled more than ten billion pounds to the Moscow's war operations.
• Meanwhile, Hungary has repeatedly used the veto power to hinder advancement in Ukraine's bid to join the EU.
• As Europe strives to forge a unified and effective strategy for supporting Kyiv, and bolstering its position in any later diplomatic discussions, the Hungarian leader's alignment with Moscow at the diplomatic table continues to be a major hurdle.

Opposition Stance

Péter Magyar has refrained from promising a significant change on the Ukraine conflict, and focused his campaigning on home affairs, while highlighting the necessity for the country to finally behave as a constructive EU member. Following persistent provocations, EU officials can only wait and hope. Orbán's disregard to basic EU values, like the support for minority protections and the freedom of non-governmental organizations, has long been a deeply troubling issue for the bloc. His continued obstructionism regarding Ukrainian matters could harm its future security.