In a move that sets him apart from other European leaders, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sent his congratulations to Russian President Vladimir Putin following his controversial "reelection." Orbán's letter, quoted by Russia's RIA state-owned news agency, emphasized the importance of the mutual respect that underpins the cooperation between Hungary and Russia.

Orbán expressed his willingness to expand the cooperation between the two countries, particularly in areas "not limited by international law." This statement raises concerns regarding Hungary's stance on issues where Russia's actions have been heavily criticized on the international stage.

Putin secured an overwhelming 87 percent support in Russia's presidential election, which concluded on Sunday. However, the results were swiftly dismissed as "obviously not free nor fair" by a spokesperson from the White House National Security Council. Several EU countries, including Germany, France, and Italy, have also raised questions about the legitimacy of Putin's victory and condemned the conduct of the election.

Interestingly, during Putin's previous presidential win in 2018, he received congratulatory messages from a number of EU countries. This time around, however, Orbán stands as the sole European leader extending his congratulations, highlighting a divide within the EU regarding their assessments of the election.

Meanwhile, Putin received postcards from autocratic leaders such as Kim Jong Un of North Korea, Xi Jinping of China, Alexandr Lukashenko of Belarus, and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua. These messages of support come amid allegations of mass falsification of ballots, forced voting, and the untimely death of Putin's key political opponent, Alexey Navalny.

The geopolitical landscape continues to be in flux as countries grapple with differing interpretations of the legitimacy of Putin's election victory. While Orbán's congratulations to Putin may hint at a deepening partnership between Hungary and Russia, it also raises concerns among EU nations who question the conduct and fairness of Russia's electoral process. As the international community watches, it remains to be seen how this rift within the EU will impact future relations with Russia.