Following the release of recordings revealing Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó’s discussions with Russian officials, Prime Minister Orbán accused Donald Tusk of engaging in similar behavior while in power.
Hungary Comments on Recording: Orbán to Tusk – “You Used to Do the Same”
A recording released Tuesday (March 31st) by the Civic Coalition criticized previously revealed conversations between Foreign Minister Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin.
Szijjártó discussed in these conversations efforts to remove Russian citizens selected by the Kremlin from EU sanctions lists, and forms of opposition to EU sanctions imposed on Russia.
“You Used to Do the Same for Poland”
“Szijjártó and Orbán have already left the European Union. We cannot allow right-wing extremists to take Poland out of it,” stated the narrator in the Civic Coalition’s recording, commenting on photos of Hungarian politicians, including PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński and Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
Orbán’s Response
“Dear Donald Tusk, I wonder if this film was made in Poland or by your bosses in Berlin. I am fighting for what is best for Hungarians. There was a time when you did the same for Poland. Pole, Hungarian, two brothers!” Orbán wrote in a comment to the recording.
An Unusual Relationship Between Hungary and Russia
The Polish Prime Minister, referring to reports of Szijjártó’s contacts with authorities in Moscow, stated that “what we heard today and suspected is only confirmation of the very worrying political dependence of Viktor Orbán’s government and his Foreign Minister, Mr. Szijjártó, directly on the Moscow authorities.”
According to the Prime Minister, the transcripts and audio recordings of Szijjártó’s conversations with Lavrov revealed how unacceptable and unusual the relationship between Budapest and Moscow is. “Nothing more disgusting could have been expected, it is absolutely disqualifying,” Tusk declared.
Polish-Hungarian Friendship
Tusk emphasized that Polish-Hungarian friendship has lasted for centuries, and it is important to him that the people of Hungary are aware that these relations have not changed. “We are happy that together with Hungary we are members of the European community. It is sad that Viktor Orbán’s government – and certainly Viktor Orbán and Minister Szijjártó – have long since left this European Union,” he stated.