Orban is back in DC, doing Putin's dirty work for him

The one point of friction between the Hungarian leader and Donald Trump would never be enough to derail their White House meeting. Moscow will be delighted

- Sam Kiley

Given that the two leaders are on opposite sides of a strategic argument that is killing people and shaping the world - an issue that could undermine European cohesion in the face of Russian aggression - a meeting between Donald Trump and Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban should be an incendiary moment.

But the cold water of their mutual admiration for Vladimir Putin means that no fireworks can ignite in the Oval Office.

Orban has been in power for longer than the 47th president of the United States. But he has the same authoritarian instincts. Like Trump, he has sought to undermine the judiciary, while his cronies have captured much of Hungary’s media and enjoy preferential treatment in business.

His problem is that Hungary, along with Slovenia and the Czech Republic, relies heavily on fuel imports from Russia. Mostly through these countries, the European Union has spent €260bn (£230bn) on Russian fuel since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

That is €10bn more than the EU has sent in arms and cash to Kyiv over the same time period.

Trump, who has empowered Putin’s military campaign by ending the provision of US military and financial aid to Ukraine, has been able to brush off criticism of his pro-Kremlin policies because he could point to the hypocrisy of the EU’s position.