Orban is playing both sides, just like Erdogan. He doesn’t condemn Russia along with the rest of Europe, because much of Hungary’s economy still depends on Russia, and also lately on China. At the same time he provides Ukraine with fuel and electricity, while NATO bases in Hungary are used as resupplying stations for Ukrainians, and Orban himself has agreed every single European policy regarding the war in Ukraine. He regularly catches headlines as being opposed to the EU, because he always wants something in exchange for his consent. He regularly forms coalitions around Hungary that veto nearly all European policies, and then uses those vetoes as bargaining chips to negotiate himself into a better position within the EU.

He’s also a far-right anti-immigration anti-gay anti-“liberal” devout Pentecostal Christian (which plays really well with American Pentecostals), and he was one of the few non-US politicians who supported Trump’s election both times. It is very likely that he provided Trump with intelligence on how the Europeans were attempting to turn the tide for Biden/Kamala in the latest elections. It is also very likely that the US is using Orban as a Trojan horse to further weaken the EU, either by influencing/buying his vote in the EU, or by just publicly supporting him and making the other Europeans suspicious.

Also, don’t forget that Orban’s government is supported by the descendants of Nazi collaborators and also those who organized the Hungarian Uprising. Ultimately, they deeply hate the Russians, and their goal is to see an independent Hungary out of the EU, or in a very much weakened EU. Right now they are prioritizing the EU front, as they see that as a threat to sovereignty and source of immigration.