Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has claimed that if Donald Trump is re-elected as the President of the United States, Trump would not allocate any financial aid to Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. Orban, who has described himself as a “good friend” of Trump, suggests that the lack of US funding under Trump’s possible future administration would lead to a swift conclusion of the war in Ukraine. This claim was made during a meeting in Florida, which has drawn attention due to the contrasting US foreign policy approaches towards Ukraine under different administrations.

Under the current US President Joe Biden, Ukraine has received over $75 billion in support, including cash and equipment, since the Russian invasion in 2022. However, further aid has been stalled due to opposition in Congress to a proposed $95 billion emergency foreign aid bill.

Orban’s stance on not sending weapons to Ukraine, coupled with Hungary’s economic relations with Moscow, highlights a divergence from the more widespread European condemnation of Russia’s military actions. Orban has posited that without financial support from the US and Europe, the conflict would come to an end, emphasizing the significant role of external funding in the sustainability of Ukraine’s defense efforts.

Trump’s campaign has not directly commented on Orban’s assertions regarding Ukraine but has acknowledged discussions on bilateral issues, including border security. In the past, Trump has mooted the idea of lending rather than outright giving military aid to Ukraine, suggesting possible repayment terms.

The differing perspectives on US support for Ukraine have emerged as a notable aspect of the diplomatic discourse between the US and Hungary, further highlighted by President Biden’s critique of Orban for allegedly undermining democratic values. These developments occur against the backdrop of a closely contested presidential race in the US, with the candidates’ positions on aiding Ukraine marking a significant policy difference.

Additionally, in his new book, Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, has unveiled details that paint Trump’s leadership style in a controversial light, emphasizing Trump’s admiration for authoritarian leaders. The book narrates an instance where Kelly attempted to dissuade Trump from praising Adolf Hitler, offering an insight into Trump’s views on authoritarianism.

These revelations and statements accentuate the diverging approaches between potential future US leadership on international support and conflict resolution, particularly regarding the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.