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Throughout the 2016 campaign for the US presidency, Hungary's prime minister was notable as the exclusive European Union leader to back Donald Trump. This alignment came as no shock, in light of Mr Orbán's embrace of controversial ideas like population replacement concept and the restrictions against media freedom. Observers point out that Mr Orbán essentially laid the groundwork for the Make America Great Again campaign, with one-time strategist Steve Bannon lauding him as the "Trump before Trump".

Electoral Support Ahead of Hungarian Elections

In recent days, ahead of crucial Hungarian elections just half a year off, the US president offered electoral assistance. As Mr Orbán seeks a fifth straight win leading a country he calls an non-liberal system, his political group currently trails in the polls. A meeting to Washington produced not just Trump campaign souvenirs; it brought highly beneficial pre-election gifts.

Energy Exemptions and Financial Shields

Even though previously instructing European nations on the necessity to stop all fuel purchases from the Russian Federation, and warning of sanctions against states continuing to buy Russian oil, the US president agreed to allow a unique waiver for the Hungarian government – the top consumer among EU members of Russian petroleum. Per the Hungarian leader, the Trump administration also agreed to provide a fiscal buffer to Budapest should it runs into any upcoming challenges, especially as the European Union continues to withhold substantial EU funds to the nation because of failures to uphold the rule of law.

The specifics of this deal seem vague. However Donald Trump illustrated his inclination to help out political friends after the America extended a a $20 billion loan to the Argentine leader, Argentina's president. While the Hungarian PM did not secure a Trump trip to Budapest to the Hungarian capital, the Oval Office meeting still was a productive session.

Brussels' Worries and Global Ramifications

In the corridors of the EU, the US president's move will have further underlined the geopolitical stakes of the coming election, ahead of which the moderate contender, Péter Magyar, has a comfortable lead in the polls. European leaders have learned not to expect steady principles from the Trump White House, and accept the US president’s moves to diminish the bloc. But the waiver for Hungary – obtained in exchange for an agreement to buy American natural gas and nuclear power – blatantly weakens European goals to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027.

• Starting in 2022, the largest EU buyers of Russian crude, the Hungarian and Slovak nations, have contributed substantial funds to the Russian military campaign.
• Meanwhile, the Hungarian government has repeatedly used the blocking vote to hinder advancement in Ukraine’s EU accession talks.
• As the EU attempts to create a coordinated approach for backing Ukraine, and strengthening its hand in any future peace negotiations, the Hungarian leader's alignment with Moscow at the diplomatic table continues to be a major hurdle.

Opposition Stance

Mr Magyar has refrained from promising a significant change on the Ukraine conflict, and directed his efforts on home affairs, while emphasizing the importance for Hungary to begin operating as a productive EU partner. After years of persistent provocations, EU officials can only hold out hope. Orbán's disregard to fundamental European principles, like the upholding of minority rights and the freedom of non-governmental organizations, has long been a humiliating embarrassment for the European Union. His continued obstructionism regarding Ukraine risks undermining its security prospects.