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In the course of the 2016 US presidential election campaign, Hungary's prime minister emerged as the only European Union leader to support Donald Trump. This alignment was expected, considering Mr Orbán's embrace of contentious notions like population replacement concept and his crackdowns on press independence. Commentators have noted that Mr Orbán practically wrote the playbook for Trump's base, with one-time strategist Steve Bannon hailing him as Trump's forerunner.

Political Favors In advance of Hungary's Polls

Recently, amid crucial Hungarian elections merely half a year off, the US president offered electoral assistance. With Orbán pursues a fifth straight win governing a country he calls an illiberal state, his Fidesz party is behind in opinion polls. An official trip to Washington produced beyond Trump campaign souvenirs; it brought far more significant electoral advantages.

Waivers and Fiscal Safeguards

Despite previously admonishing EU countries on the need to halt all fuel purchases from Russia, and threatening restrictions against nations still to import Russian energy, Mr Trump agreed to grant a unique waiver for Hungary – the biggest user in the EU of Russian crude. According to Mr Orbán, the Trump administration also promised to extend a fiscal buffer to the Hungarian authorities if it runs into any upcoming challenges, particularly since the European Union persists in holding back billions in EU funding to Hungary on grounds of violations of legal standards.

The details of this agreement seem vague. But Donald Trump illustrated his readiness to assist political friends after the America provided a $20 billion in emergency funds to the Argentine leader, Javier Milei. Even though Mr Orbán did not secure a Trump trip to Budapest to Budapest, the Oval Office meeting nevertheless proved a successful endeavor.

European Apprehensions and International Implications

Among European leaders, the US president's move likely further underlined the geopolitical stakes of the forthcoming polls, ahead of which the moderate contender, Péter Magyar, enjoys a comfortable lead in the polls. EU chiefs are accustomed not to look for steady principles from the US government, and have grown used to the American leader's attempts to undermine the European Union. But Mr Orbán’s exemption – secured through an deal to acquire US gas and nuclear energy – openly contradicts EU aspirations to end Russian fossil fuel imports by the year 2027.

• Starting in 2022, the largest EU buyers of Russian petroleum, these two countries, have funneled well over £10bn to the Moscow's war operations.
• Simultaneously, the Hungarian government has repeatedly used the veto power to stymie progress in negotiations for Ukraine's EU membership.
• As the EU attempts to forge a unified and effective strategy for aiding the Ukrainian government, and enhancing its leverage in any upcoming peace talks, Mr Orbán’s Putin-friendly presence at the international forums remains a significant obstacle.

Rival's Approach

Péter Magyar has steered clear of vowing a major policy shift on Ukraine, and directed his efforts on internal matters, while stressing the necessity for Hungary to begin operating as a constructive EU member. After enduring so many years of trolling, the European Union can only hold out hope. The Hungarian leader's apathy to basic EU values, like the upholding of minority rights and the freedom of non-governmental organizations, has remained a humiliating embarrassment for the European Union. His ongoing blocking tactics toward Ukrainian matters risks undermining its future security.