As Hungary heads into a critical election, Russia's support for Prime Minister Viktor Orban has become strikingly transparent. Moscow recently assured Budapest of continued oil deliveries despite EU sanctions, with Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto at the Kremlin. President Trump has also endorsed Orban, while Vice President JD Vance plans a visit to Budapest just days before the April 12 vote.

Orban's campaign has centered on anti-Ukraine rhetoric, with Fidesz posters depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a threat alongside opposition leader Peter Magyar. The government has amplified Russian narratives, claiming Ukraine might sabotage Russian gas pipelines to Hungary. A leaked 2024 phone call revealed Szijjarto coordinating with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on lifting EU sanctions, with the Hungarian minister stating he was "always at your disposal."

This open collaboration marks a departure from typical covert election interference. While European leaders express alarm, Orban's strategy appears aimed at mobilizing his base, where only 3 percent support Ukraine's leadership. The opposition, led by Magyar, has largely avoided Ukraine discussions, instead invoking Hungary's painful history with Russian domination, including the 1956 uprising's 70th anniversary.