In a recent meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Florida, former US President Donald Trump allegedly declared that he “will not give a penny” to Ukraine if he is re-elected. Orbán, a far-right leader, asserted that Trump has a detailed plan to end the Ukraine-Russia war, claiming that without American financial and military support, Ukraine would be unable to sustain itself in the conflict.
Orbán praised Trump as a “man of peace” and suggested that if the US, along with its European allies, fails to provide money and weapons, the war in Ukraine would come to an end. This statement implies that Ukraine might lose the war to Russia without substantial international support.
Despite Trump facing legal challenges, including 91 criminal charges and civil suits, and controversies over his business affairs and a rape allegation, he remains the presumptive Republican nominee. Orbán, emphasizing Trump’s peaceful leadership, asserted that there was peace in the Middle East and Ukraine during Trump’s presidency.
During their meeting, Orbán and Trump expressed their mutual admiration for each other, with Trump praising Orbán as a “fantastic” and non-controversial leader. The Hungarian leader emphasized the importance of US-Hungarian economic relations and suggested that global peace would benefit from Trump’s return to power.
In response to these developments, President Joe Biden condemned Trump’s remarks and accused him of capitulating to authoritarian leaders. Biden labeled Trump’s comments as “dumb, shameful, and un-American” and criticized Trump’s recent suggestion that, if re-elected, he would encourage Russia to attack NATO allies deemed insufficient contributors.
Biden’s criticism aligns with recent statements from CNN national security analyst Jim Sciutto, who reported that former advisers claim Trump harbors aspirations of being an authoritarian leader. John Bolton, Trump’s third national security adviser, highlighted Trump’s inclination to associate with other powerful leaders who can exercise unilateral authority.
As the US political landscape unfolds, tensions surrounding Ukraine, and Trump’s potential return to power, continue to be subjects of international concern and debate.