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During the race for the White House in 2016, Viktor Orbán emerged as the sole head of an EU nation to support Donald Trump. This support came as no shock, considering the Hungarian leader's embrace of divisive ideas including population replacement concept and the suppression of journalistic liberties. Commentators point out that Hungary's premier essentially laid the groundwork for the Make America Great Again campaign, with ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon once praising Orbán as a precursor to Trump.

Campaign Assistance Ahead of Hungary's Polls

In recent days, ahead of pivotal polls in Hungary just approaching in six months, Donald Trump returned some political favors. As Mr Orbán pursues a fifth straight win leading a country he describes as an non-liberal system, his ruling party lags in surveys. A visit to the US capital produced not just Trump campaign souvenirs; it obtained highly beneficial electoral advantages.

Special Treatment and Economic Protections

Although earlier admonishing European nations on the need to halt all fuel purchases from Russia, and threatening penalties against states continuing to import Russian energy, Mr Trump approved to grant a particular exclusion for the Hungarian government – the biggest user in the EU of Russian oil. Per the Hungarian leader, the Trump administration also pledged to offer a economic protection to Hungary's capital if it faces any later issues, given that Brussels continues to withhold substantial EU funds to Hungary on grounds of violations of legal standards.

The particulars of this deal remain somewhat murky. However the US president illustrated his inclination to help out like-minded partners when the United States granted a $20bn emergency credit line to the Argentine leader, Javier Milei. Although the Hungarian PM was unable to arrange a campaign-energising Trump visit to Budapest, the Washington talks nonetheless was a profitable day’s work.

Brussels' Worries and Global Ramifications

Among European leaders, Mr Trump’s intervention likely emphasized the strategic importance of the upcoming vote, ahead of which the opposition candidate, Magyar, holds a comfortable lead in surveys. Heads of state have learned not to look for reliable policies from the Trump White House, and accept the Trump's moves to diminish the EU. Yet Mr Orbán’s exemption – secured through an deal to acquire US gas and nuclear energy – flagrantly undermines EU aspirations to eliminate Russian oil and gas by the target date.

• Starting in 2022, the largest EU buyers of Russian crude, Hungary and Slovakia, have contributed substantial funds to the Kremlin’s war effort.
• Meanwhile, Budapest has often employed the blocking vote to impede moves in Ukraine’s EU accession talks.
• As Europe strives to forge a unified and effective strategy for aiding the Ukrainian government, and strengthening its hand in any later diplomatic discussions, Orbán's pro-Russia stance at the negotiating table is still a key barrier.

Challenger's Position

Péter Magyar has steered clear of pledging a significant change on Ukraine, and directed his efforts on home affairs, while highlighting the necessity for the country to finally behave as a positive member state. Following repeated disruptions, Brussels can only remain patient. The Hungarian leader's apathy to basic EU values, like the upholding of minority rights and the autonomy of civic groups, has remained a humiliating embarrassment for the bloc. His continued obstructionism on the Ukraine issue could harm its security prospects.