Desperation this week forced Trump to dispatch Vance to attempt to prop up Orbán’s faltering campaign for re-election. For Orbán — the prototype autocratic Western leader — is in trouble, and both Russia and the Trump White House are doing all they can to ensure he maintains his iron grip on power. For Orbán, the prototype autocratic Western leader, is in trouble, and both Russia and the Trump White House are doing all they can to ensure he maintains his iron grip on power. One vignette last year involving the Taoiseach reflected the general view among most other EU states. As if Ukraine, attempting to join the EU and under daily attack from Russia, was going to invade another EU country.

Source: Irish Examiner April 11, 2026 12:00 UTC