Analysts say the US president must press the Hungarian prime minister for frozen funds and easing sanctions in exchange for lifting the veto on Ukraine's accession to the EU.
According to American analysts dealing with Eastern Europe, the visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the White House scheduled for November 7 may constitute a rare opportunity to break one of the most persistent diplomatic deadlocks in the European Union: the Hungarian blockade of Ukraine's accession talks to the community.
— Trump does not have to love the EU to use it for his purposes, says one congressional adviser in an interview with the Kyiv Post.
Orban's visit will take place right after Donald Trump's summit with Central Asian leaders and is part of Washington's broader efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia.
Senior US officials confirmed that Orban would be received on the morning of Friday, November 7. Then the presidents will go for a private dinner, which indicates that the talks will have significance beyond image issues.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Hungary has repeatedly blocked EU support for Kiev, both in terms of sanctions against Moscow and funds for the reconstruction of the country attacked by Russia. Orban himself has portrayed Ukraine's EU membership ambitions as a threat, warning that support for Kiev could “ruin Europe.”
The Washington-based think tank Atlantic Council calls Hungary a “the greatest dissenter” in the EU's almost unanimous attitude towards Russia.
At home, Orban still enjoys the support of a nationalist electorate, but his isolation in Brussels, frozen EU funds and rising energy costs make him increasingly vulnerable to pressure.
— Orban is running out of options, says one Western diplomat in an interview with the Kyiv Post.
Viktor Orban addresses participants of the “peace march”, calling for keeping Hungary out of the war. Budapest, Hungary, October 23, 2025AA/ABACA / PAP
Trump as a negotiator
Just before Viktor Orban's visit, the White House sent a secret report to Congress extending restrictions on imports and investments from Russia. The move was described by one Senate aide as “a technical but significant move that tightens the screws on Russia's war economy.”
Republican congressional aides suggest that Trump may use the meeting in the Oval Office to put pressure on Orban, tying up possibleAmerican concessions with Budapest's decision to lift the EU veto.
There are various possibilities: energy guarantees, partial easing of sanctions, and even diplomatic support in unlocking EU funds. This transactional style of politics, based on the exchange of benefits, is typical of both leaders.
Analysts see a real advantage for Washington.
— Orban will go to Washington to obtain sanctions relief. Trump's team should pressure him to stop screwing up plans in exchange for economic deals.
Getting the Hungarian president to drop his opposition to Ukraine's accession to the EU would be a diplomatic success for the White House and would underline Trump's influence over other world leaders.
It would also constitute strategic success for Ukraine, Europe and Washington
— notes James Batchik of the Atlantic Council.
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Calculated risk, strategic profits
This strategy carries some risks: an explicit deal could irritate Brussels or embolden other populist leaders. However, congressional aides warn that the cost of inaction is much higher. — Every month in which Ukraine's accession process stands still is a month that Russia can consider a success, says one congressional adviser anonymously in an interview for the Kyiv Post [pracownik zatrudniony przez kongresmena w celu zapewnienia wsparcia w kwestiach legislacyjnych, administracyjnych i dotyczących wyborców].
If Trump is successful, he will be able to combine his transactional style of negotiations with the pursuit of broader geopolitical goals. Progress on Ukraine's EU membership would stabilize the situation in Kiev, show greater European responsibility, and strengthen US influence in the region.
Since 2022, Hungary's dependence on Russia has only deepened, forcing Orban to seek Moscow's favor by delaying EU decisions.
— Trump doesn't have to love the EU to use it for his purposes. Eliminating Orban from Putin's team is a foreign policy success that every president would like to achieve, reveals a congressional adviser.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
