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Throughout the 2016 US presidential election campaign, Viktor Orbán stood out as the exclusive European Union leader to support the Republican candidate. This support came as no shock, given the Hungarian leader's championing of controversial theories such as the "great replacement" theory and the suppression of media freedom. Observers have noted that Hungary's premier practically pioneered the Make America Great Again campaign, with former White House strategist Steve Bannon once praising Orbán as a precursor to Trump.

Campaign Assistance In advance of the Hungarian Vote

In recent days, amid crucial Hungarian elections merely half a year off, Donald Trump returned some political favors. While Orbán seeks a fifth straight win presiding over a country he describes as an illiberal democracy, his ruling party is behind in the polls. A visit to the US capital yielded beyond some autographed Trump merchandise; it brought considerably more valuable pre-election gifts.

Special Treatment and Financial Shields

Even though before lecturing European nations on the necessity to halt all resource supplies from Russia, and warning of penalties against nations still to buy Russian oil, the US president approved to grant a unique waiver for the Hungarian government – the top consumer among EU members of Russian oil. Per the Hungarian leader, the US government also pledged to extend a “financial shield” to Budapest should it encounters any future difficulties, particularly since Brussels continues to withhold substantial EU funds to the nation on grounds of violations of legal standards.

The specifics of this arrangement remain vague. However Donald Trump illustrated his inclination to assist like-minded partners after the America extended a $20 billion in emergency funds to Argentina’s far-right president, Argentina's president. Even though Orbán failed to obtain a presidential tour to the Hungarian capital, the Oval Office meeting still was a productive session.

Brussels' Worries and International Implications

Among European leaders, the US president's move will have highlighted the international consequences of the coming election, ahead of which the centrist challenger, the rival candidate, holds a solid advantage in opinion data. EU chiefs are accustomed not to expect steady principles from the US government, and have grown used to the Trump's efforts to belittle the EU. Yet the waiver for Hungary – obtained in exchange for an pledge to purchase American natural gas and nuclear power – flagrantly undermines European goals to eliminate imports of Russian energy by the year 2027.

• Starting in 2022, the largest EU buyers of Russian oil, the Hungarian and Slovak nations, have funneled more than ten billion pounds to the Russian military campaign.
• Meanwhile, the Hungarian government has consistently deployed the threat of its veto to hinder advancement in negotiations for Ukraine's EU membership.
• While Europe works to forge a unified and effective strategy for supporting Kyiv, and strengthening its hand in any upcoming peace talks, Orbán's pro-Russia stance at the diplomatic table is still a key barrier.

Opposition Stance

Péter Magyar has avoided vowing a significant change on Ukraine, and centered his campaign on internal matters, while emphasizing the importance for Hungary to start acting as a constructive EU member. After years of repeated disruptions, Brussels can only hold out hope. The Hungarian leader's apathy to fundamental European principles, like the support for minority protections and the independence of civil society institutions, has remained a humiliating embarrassment for the EU. His continued obstructionism toward the Ukraine issue could harm its long-term safety.