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Throughout the race for the White House in 2016, Hungary's prime minister emerged as the only head of an EU nation to support Donald Trump. This backing was expected, given Mr Orbán's championing of contentious ideas such as great replacement ideology and the suppression of journalistic liberties. Commentators observe that Hungary's premier more or less laid the groundwork for the Make America Great Again campaign, with one-time strategist Steve Bannon lauding Orbán as the "Trump before Trump".

Campaign Assistance In advance of Hungary's Polls

In recent days, ahead of key votes in Hungary merely half a year off, Donald Trump offered electoral assistance. With Orbán seeks a fifth term in office leading a nation he labels an non-liberal system, his ruling party currently trails in opinion polls. A meeting to Washington produced more than some autographed Trump merchandise; it secured highly beneficial electoral advantages.

Special Treatment and Economic Protections

Despite before instructing EU countries on the need to stop all fuel purchases from Russia, and threatening restrictions against countries continuing to buy Russian oil, Donald Trump consented to grant a particular exclusion for the Hungarian government – the largest EU consumer of Russian petroleum. Per the Hungarian leader, the American leadership also pledged to extend a “financial shield” to Budapest if it runs into any upcoming challenges, especially as the European Union persists in holding back substantial EU funds to the nation due to failures to uphold the rule of law.

The details of this arrangement are vague. Yet Mr Trump has shown his inclination to help out like-minded partners as the US granted a $20bn emergency credit line to the Argentine leader, the South American leader. Although the Hungarian PM failed to obtain a campaign-energising Trump visit to Budapest, the Washington talks nonetheless turned out to be a productive session.

EU Concerns and Global Ramifications

In the corridors of the EU, the US president's move likely highlighted the geopolitical stakes of the forthcoming polls, before which the opposition candidate, the rival candidate, holds a clear edge in surveys. European leaders are accustomed not to look for reliable policies from the Trump White House, and accept the American leader's attempts to undermine the bloc. Yet Mr Orbán’s exemption – obtained in exchange for an deal to acquire American natural gas and nuclear power – blatantly weakens EU aspirations to eliminate Russian fossil fuel imports by the year 2027.

• From 2022 onward, the top importers in the EU of Russian oil, these two countries, have funneled well over £10bn to the Moscow's war operations.
• Simultaneously, Budapest has repeatedly used the threat of its veto to stymie progress in negotiations for Ukraine's EU membership.
• As the EU attempts to develop a cohesive plan for aiding the Ukrainian government, and enhancing its leverage in any upcoming peace talks, Orbán's pro-Russia stance at the international forums is still a key barrier.

Rival's Approach

The opposition candidate has avoided promising a significant change on the Ukraine conflict, and focused his campaigning on internal matters, while stressing the need for Hungary to finally behave as a positive member state. After enduring persistent provocations, EU officials can only hold out hope. Mr Orbán’s indifference to basic EU values, including the protection of minority groups and the autonomy of civic groups, has long been a humiliating embarrassment for the EU. His continued obstructionism regarding Ukrainian matters risks undermining its security prospects.