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Throughout the 2016 campaign for the US presidency, Hungary's prime minister was notable as the sole EU chief to support Donald Trump. This alignment was expected, in light of Mr Orbán's championing of divisive ideas like population replacement concept and the suppression of press independence. Analysts observe that Mr Orbán essentially pioneered the Maga movement, with former White House strategist Steve Bannon lauding him as a precursor to Trump.

Political Favors Ahead of Hungarian Elections

Last week, ahead of crucial Hungarian elections merely half a year off, the US president reciprocated with support. With Orbán seeks a fifth straight win leading a nation he calls an illiberal democracy, his ruling party is behind in the polls. A visit to the US capital resulted in beyond some autographed Trump merchandise; it brought highly beneficial electoral advantages.

Energy Exemptions and Economic Protections

Even though earlier instructing European nations on the imperative to stop all fuel purchases from the Russian Federation, and threatening restrictions against countries still to buy Russian oil, Donald Trump agreed to provide a special exemption for the Hungarian government – the largest EU consumer of Russian petroleum. According to Mr Orbán, the Trump administration also agreed to provide a “financial shield” to Hungary's capital if it encounters any future difficulties, given that EU institutions persists in holding back billions in EU funding to Hungary due to failures to uphold the rule of law.

The particulars of this deal are vague. But the US president illustrated his readiness to support like-minded partners as the US provided a $20bn emergency credit line to Argentina’s far-right president, the South American leader. Although Mr Orbán failed to obtain a Trump trip to Budapest to Budapest, the Oval Office meeting nonetheless was a profitable day’s work.

European Apprehensions and International Implications

Within EU circles, Mr Trump’s intervention will have further underlined the geopolitical stakes of the upcoming vote, before which the centrist challenger, Péter Magyar, holds a clear edge in opinion data. European leaders are accustomed not to expect principled consistency from the Trump administration, and accept the American leader's attempts to undermine the EU. Yet Mr Orbán’s exemption – secured through an deal to acquire American energy resources – flagrantly undermines EU aspirations to eliminate Russian oil and gas by the target date.

• Starting in 2022, the two biggest EU importers of Russian oil, these two countries, have contributed more than ten billion pounds to the Moscow's war operations.
• Meanwhile, Hungary has consistently deployed the blocking vote to impede moves in Ukraine's bid to join the EU.
• As the EU attempts to create a coordinated approach for aiding the Ukrainian government, and bolstering its position in any later diplomatic discussions, Mr Orbán’s Putin-friendly presence at the diplomatic table remains a significant obstacle.

Challenger's Position

Péter Magyar has steered clear of pledging a drastic turnaround on the war in Ukraine, and directed his efforts on internal matters, while highlighting the need for the country to start acting as a positive member state. After years of repeated disruptions, Brussels can only hold out hope. Orbán's disregard to fundamental European principles, including the upholding of minority rights and the freedom of non-governmental organizations, has remained a humiliating embarrassment for the bloc. His continued obstructionism on Ukraine could harm its future security.