STORY
Donald Trump’s open support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has intensified strains across Europe, with the row exposing sharp differences between Washington and many European capitals over Hungary’s direction, Russia and support for Ukraine. Trump has endorsed Orbán’s re election bid, while senior U.S. figures including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have publicly praised the Hungarian leader, even as Orbán remains at odds with Brussels over rule of law concerns, corruption and his approach to Moscow.
The dispute comes at a delicate moment for Europe, with Orbán having blocked a major EU loan package for Ukraine and maintained closer ties with Russia than most other EU leaders. Reuters has reported that many in Europe see Hungary’s election as a test of the country’s future place in Europe, with Orbán uniquely endorsed by both Trump and the Kremlin.