Trump Endorses Putin Ally Viktor Orbán in Hungary's Election: 'I Am With Him All the Way'
Former US President Donald Trump has thrown his full support behind Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of Hungary's fiercely contested election. Orbán, a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, faces a tough challenge from opposition leader Peter Magyar in what is shaping up to be the country's most competitive election in years.
Trump's Strong Endorsement
On Tuesday, Trump announced his endorsement of Orbán, stating: "I was proud to endorse Viktor for reelection in 2022 and am honoured to do so again." The former president praised Orbán as a "truly strong and powerful leader with a proven track record of delivering phenomenal results."
Drawing parallels between their leadership styles, Trump enthused: "He fights tirelessly for, and loves, his great country and people, just like I do for the United States of America." He highlighted Orbán's commitment to protecting Hungary, growing the economy, creating jobs, promoting trade, stopping illegal immigration, and ensuring law and order.
Orbán's Controversial Positions
Orbán has drawn widespread criticism across Europe for his support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He has previously dismissed Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace with a casual "So what?" and declared that "Ukraine is not an independent country."
The Hungarian leader has consistently blocked an EU loan package agreed in December 2025 that would help Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fight Putin's forces. Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo recently criticized Orbán, saying: "He's using Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaigning, and it's not good. We had a deal, and I think that he betrayed us."
Election Dynamics and Allegations
Despite leading Hungary for over 16 years, Orbán is currently lagging behind opposition leader Peter Magyar in election polls. The campaign has been marred by serious allegations:
- Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, accused Orbán's Fidesz party of blackmailing him with a secretly recorded sex tape in February
- Fidesz communications director Tamas Menczer denied the allegations, calling Magyar a liar
- Orbán faces accusations of "betraying Hungarian and European interests" over alleged sharing of confidential EU information with Russia
A Washington Post report claimed Hungary's foreign minister Peter Szijjarto regularly updated his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, with key details of confidential EU meetings. Magyar responded: "If confirmed, this would amount to treason, which carries a potential life sentence. A future Tisza government will immediately investigate the matter."
Hungary's Russian Energy Dependence
Hungary continues to rely heavily on Russian oil despite EU efforts to phase out the fuel. According to a report from the Center for the Study of Democracy, Russian crude accounted for as much as 93 percent of Hungary's oil imports in 2025, up significantly from 61 percent in 2021.
This energy dependence underscores the complex relationship between Hungary and Russia, which has become a central issue in the election campaign and a point of contention with other EU members.
Shared Ideological Ground
Trump and Orbán share significant ideological alignment, particularly in their emphasis on anti-immigration rhetoric and Christian conservative views. While Trump has fluctuated in his support for Ukraine, Orbán has maintained consistent opposition to the beleaguered country.
As Hungary prepares to go to the polls on 12 April, Trump's endorsement adds an international dimension to what was already a highly charged domestic political contest. The election outcome will have significant implications for Hungary's relationship with both the European Union and Russia.
