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In the course of the 2016 US presidential election campaign, Viktor Orbán was notable as the exclusive European Union leader to back Donald Trump. This support was expected, given the Hungarian leader's adoption of divisive notions like great replacement ideology and the crackdowns on journalistic liberties. Observers observe that Hungary's premier practically laid the groundwork for the Make America Great Again campaign, with ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon once praising Orbán as Trump's forerunner.

Electoral Support Ahead of Hungarian Elections

Last week, with crucial Hungarian elections only six months away, the US president offered electoral assistance. As Mr Orbán pursues a fifth straight win governing a nation he describes as an illiberal democracy, his political group currently trails in the polls. An official trip to the US capital yielded more than Trump campaign souvenirs; it secured considerably more valuable pre-election gifts.

Special Treatment and Financial Shields

Even though previously instructing European nations on the imperative to halt all fuel purchases from the Russian Federation, and threatening penalties against nations continuing to import Russian energy, Donald Trump approved to grant a unique waiver for the Hungarian government – the biggest user in the EU of Russian crude. According to Mr Orbán, the US government also agreed to extend a “financial shield” to Hungary's capital should it encounters any future difficulties, particularly since Brussels persists in holding back billions in EU funding to Hungary because of failures to uphold the rule of law.

The specifics of this deal are somewhat murky. But the US president illustrated his readiness to assist like-minded partners as the United States provided a $20bn emergency credit line to the Argentine leader, the South American leader. Even though the Hungarian PM was unable to arrange a campaign-energising Trump visit to the Hungarian capital, the Oval Office meeting nevertheless turned out to be a successful endeavor.

European Apprehensions and Geopolitical Stakes

Among European leaders, Trump's actions probably emphasized the international consequences of the upcoming vote, ahead of which the moderate contender, Péter Magyar, holds a solid advantage in the polls. European leaders have learned not to expect reliable policies from the Trump White House, and are familiar with the US president’s efforts to belittle the European Union. However the special treatment for Orbán – which came at the price of an pledge to purchase US gas and nuclear energy – blatantly weakens the bloc's aims to eliminate imports of Russian energy by the target date.

• Starting in 2022, the top importers in the EU of Russian petroleum, these two countries, have contributed well over £10bn to the Russian military campaign.
• At the same time, Budapest has consistently deployed the veto power to stymie progress in Ukraine’s EU accession talks.
• As Europe strives to develop a cohesive plan for aiding the Ukrainian government, and enhancing its leverage in any upcoming peace talks, the Hungarian leader's alignment with Moscow at the international forums is still a key barrier.

Opposition Stance

Mr Magyar has avoided vowing a significant change on the Ukraine conflict, and directed his efforts on home affairs, while emphasizing the necessity for the country to begin operating as a positive member state. After years of so many years of trolling, the European Union can only hold out hope. The Hungarian leader's apathy to fundamental European principles, including the upholding of minority rights and the independence of civil society institutions, has persisted as a source of shame for the European Union. His continued obstructionism on Ukrainian matters risks undermining its future security.