US Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized the European Union for allegedly interfering in the upcoming Hungarian elections, while openly stating that he came to Budapest to help Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

"The bureaucrats in Brussels tried to destroy the Hungarian economy" and "tried to diminish Hungary's energy independence," Vance told reporters.

At the pre-election rally, Vance connected President Donald Trump by phone, who said: "I love Hungary and I love that Viktor. He's done a fantastic job."

The elections are being held at a time when Orban, after 16 years in power, faces the possibility of losing to rival Peter Magyar, whose Tisza party leads in the polls. Magyar responded: "No foreign country should interfere in Hungarian elections."

Vance praised Hungary's dependence on Russian energy, thereby supporting Orban's position. Bloomberg previously reported that Orban told Putin in October: "In everything we can be of help, we are at your disposal."