Orban, described as a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has declared that Ukraine is not an independent country and shrugged off Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace. He has consistently blocked an EU loan package agreed in December 2025 to help Ukraine fight Putin, with Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stating, according to The Independent - Main, that Orban is using Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaigning and betrayed a deal. The election context sees Orban lagging behind opposition leader Pete Magyar in polls, with campaigns marred by allegations of blackmail and treason.
Magyar accused Orban's Fidesz party of blackmailing him with a secretly recorded sex tape in February, but Fidesz communications director Tamas Menczer accused Magyar of lying, and the party denied the allegations. Treason allegations center on a Washington Post report claiming Hungary's foreign minister Peter Szijjarto regularly updated his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov with key details of confidential EU meetings. ' Hungary initially called the reports fake news, but Szijjarto later acknowledged the calls, insisting communication between nations was essential and denying any breach of security protocols.
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.
Orban has received endorsement from US President Donald Trump, who called him a truly strong and powerful leader with a proven track record of delivering phenomenal results. Trump said, 'I was proud to endorse Viktor for reelection in 2022 and am honoured to do so again,' noting Orban fights tirelessly for his country and will protect Hungary, grow the economy, create jobs, promote trade, stop illegal immigration, and ensure law and order, with both leaders sharing an emphasis on anti-immigration rhetoric and Christian conservative views.