In a closed-door meeting set to take place in Washington, allies of Hungary's far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will convene with Republicans to push for an end to US military support for Ukraine, according to sources revealed to The Guardian.

The Hungarian Institute of International Affairs and staff from the Hungarian embassy in Washington will gather for a two-day event hosted by the conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation. The first day will feature panel speeches discussing the Ukraine war and Transatlantic Culture Wars, with attendees expected to include guests such as Magor Ernyei, the international director of the Centre for Fundamental Rights.

The meeting comes amidst ongoing debates in Washington regarding Ukraine's future and the allocation of funds for its defense. The White House recently warned that without congressional action, Ukraine may face a shortage of funds for weapons and equipment by the end of the year. However, Senate Republicans blocked an emergency spending bill to fund the war in Ukraine last Wednesday.

According to a diplomatic source close to the Hungarian embassy, Prime Minister Orbán is confident that aid to Ukraine will not pass in Congress, prompting his efforts to block assistance from the European Union as well. Orbán has been a vocal critic of aid directed towards Ukraine, and his closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised eyebrows within the EU.

The Heritage Foundation, hosting the closed-door meeting, has also been an opponent of US assistance to Ukraine. Last year, the think tank's lobbying operation executive director released a statement arguing that the "Ukraine Aid Package Puts America Last." In August, Heritage's vice-president took to social media, calling for an end to "blank, undated checks for Ukraine."

Hungary has gained attention from conservative media outlets as an anti-"woke" paradise and a model for conservative United States policies. Some far-right Republicans, including Kari Lake and Paul Gosar, have expressed admiration for the "Hungarian model" in areas such as immigration and family policies. In fact, CPAC went to Hungary for the second time this year, and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson highlighted Orbán's policies in his show.

While Orbán's allies are making efforts to strengthen ties with the Republicans and influence US funding for Ukraine, experts believe it is unlikely he will have significant leverage in this matter. Supporters of Ukraine have also been actively engaging with Republicans in Congress, with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron holding meetings on Capitol Hill to rally support for continued funding.

The closed-door meeting between Hungary's allies and Republicans in Washington marks another chapter in the ongoing discussions surrounding Ukraine's future and the role of international aid. With tensions high and various stakeholders making their voices heard, the outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for both Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.