A Diplomatic Spat Erupts Between Hungary and Poland Over Conflicting Views on Russia
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A diplomatic spat has erupted between Poland and Hungary, highlighting the deepening rifts within Europe regarding the response to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Poland, alongside Germany, France, and most other European nations, stands firmly with Ukraine, while Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is perceived as having the closest ties to the Kremlin among EU leaders.
The tensions escalated over the weekend when Orbán criticized Poland's stance, accusing it of hypocrisy. “The Poles are pursuing the most sanctimonious and the most hypocritical policy in the whole of Europe,” he stated, pointing fingers at Poland's economic dealings with Russia while condemning Hungary's relations. This prompted a swift and vehement rebuttal from Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, who asserted, “We do not do business with Russia, unlike Prime Minister Orbán, who is on the margins of international society — both in the European Union and NATO.”
Historically, Poland relied heavily on Russian energy, but in recent years, it has made significant strides to reduce this dependency. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland took decisive steps to halt its oil imports from Russia. Magda Jakubowska, vice president of Visegrad Insight, clarified that while Poland may have some Russian oil in reserves from previous deliveries, it no longer engages in direct imports. The Druzhba pipeline, which once facilitated oil transport from Russia, is now inactive. Currently, approximately 50% of Poland's oil imports come from Saudi Arabia, with additional supplies from Norway.
Jakubowska remarked that Orbán's claims might have held some truth a year ago, but the situation has changed dramatically. “Maybe he hasn’t been updated,” she quipped. Bartoszewski further suggested that Orbán should consider aligning more closely with Putin and even hinted at Hungary's potential exit from Western organizations, a sentiment echoed by the Polish state news agency PAP.
Hungary's approach to Russia has increasingly isolated it within the EU, leading to boycotts of informal meetings hosted by Hungary, which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency. Bartoszewski questioned Hungary's desire to remain part of organizations it perceives as unfavorable, stating, “If you don’t want to be a member of a club, you can always leave.”
The exchange of barbs continued as Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó responded on social media, expressing frustration over the Polish government's provocations and hypocrisy, stating, “For a long time we tolerated the provocations and hypocrisy of the current Polish government with the intention of preserving the Polish-Hungarian brotherhood, but we have had enough.”
Historically, Poland and Hungary have shared strong ties, particularly during the tenure of conservative populist leaders in Poland from 2015 to 2023, who aligned with Orbán on issues like migration and EU sovereignty. However, these relations have soured since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an act perceived by Poles as an existential threat. The situation has further deteriorated with the rise of a pro-EU government in Warsaw under Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
As the diplomatic spat unfolds, it underscores the complexities and divisions within Europe as nations grapple with their responses to Russian aggression and the broader implications for regional security and unity.