The long-serving prime minister, a champion of ‘illiberal democracy,’ has been politically isolated in much of Europe. But he has found common ground with the former and soon-to-be new U.S. president.

Orban, who has grown increasingly isolated within the EU for his ties with Russia and opposition to military aid for Ukraine, has praised Trump as a "man of peace" who would quickly end the war. The two spoke by phone late on Wednesday, and Orban posted on social media: "We have big plans for the future".

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told national radio that the US under Trump will abandon Ukraine, and forecasted a Ukrainian military defeat.