Following Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s visit to Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced a halt to gas deliveries to Ukraine, prompting criticism from Polish officials.
Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day and Subsequent Meetings
On Monday, President Karol Nawrocki and his Hungarian counterpart Tamás Sulyok participated in the celebrations of Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day in Przemyśl, Poland. Later, Polish-Hungarian talks continued in Budapest, where the Polish head of state met with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Tusk’s Reaction to Orbán’s Decision
Following President Nawrocki’s visit to Hungary, Donald Tusk stated that Vladimir Putin would be pleased with the outcome. Orbán announced on Wednesday that Hungary is suspending gas deliveries to Ukraine until oil supplies resume via the Druzhba pipeline.
Sikorski Criticizes Nawrocki’s Visit as Damaging to Polish Foreign Policy
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that President Nawrocki’s visit to Hungary and meeting with Prime Minister Orbán harmed Polish foreign policy. He characterized the visit as unusual, noting that the Polish president treated a lower-ranking official as an equal partner.
Sikorski added that the visit appeared to be an attempt to support Orbán’s election campaign, a practice he deemed inappropriate. He warned that if the opposition wins the Hungarian elections, President Nawrocki may face difficulties in future dealings with the new Hungarian government.
Concerns Over Orbán’s Pro-Putin Stance
Sikorski further stated that supporting a politician who is pro-Putin and financially harms the Polish military damages Poland’s image and the obligations of the commander of the Polish Armed Forces. He reiterated that interfering in the electoral processes of other countries, especially to benefit candidates who aid Putin, is unacceptable.