Polish President Karol Nawrocki met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, leading to Hungary halting gas supplies to Ukraine and sharp criticism from Polish officials.
Orbán and Nawrocki Discuss Energy Independence
Following the meeting, President Nawrocki proposed to Orbán that Hungary become independent from Russian gas and collaborate with Poland using the interconnector in Strachocina, Podkarpackie. Despite EU sanctions, Russian oil continued to be transported to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline.
During the conversation, the Polish President expressed disagreement with Hungary’s stance on Ukraine and critically assessed Budapest’s approach to Moscow. A note from the visit was delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday evening (March 25th).
Tusk Criticizes Nawrocki’s Visit
Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized the meeting, stating that the first effect of Karol Nawrocki’s visit to Budapest was Orbán cutting off gas supplies to Ukraine. Tusk suggested that Hungary has a significant problem with Ukraine and that the presidential visit did not change this.
Hungary Halts Gas Supplies to Ukraine
Orbán announced that Hungary is suspending gas deliveries to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies resume via the Druzhba pipeline. He emphasized the need to protect Hungary’s energy security, maintain stable fuel prices, and reduce media costs for Hungarian families.
Orbán stated the need for new measures to break the oil blockade and ensure Hungary’s energy security, adding that gas deliveries will be gradually reduced, with surpluses being stored domestically. He asserted that instead of filling Ukrainian storage facilities, Hungary will fill its own.
Sikorski Deems Visit Detrimental to Polish Foreign Policy
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski assessed that President Nawrocki’s visit to Hungary and meeting with Orbán harmed Polish foreign policy. He emphasized that, for the Polish President, an equal partner is another president.
Sikorski argued there was no protocol or political need for Nawrocki to “pilgrimage” to a lower-ranking official, like the Prime Minister, noting the similar political systems in Poland and Hungary where presidents are not heads of government. He stated that for Orbán, the Polish Prime Minister is the political partner, not the Polish President.
Sikorski added that the only justification for the visit was to support Orbán’s election campaign, stating that a president interfering in an election campaign is not good practice. He cautioned that if the opposition wins in Hungary, Nawrocki may face difficulties with the next Hungarian government.
