Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán responded to a video released by Poland’s Civic Coalition criticizing contacts between his Foreign Minister and Kremlin representatives.
Civic Coalition Video and Allegations Against Hungary
The Civic Coalition (KO) released a video on Tuesday criticizing previously revealed conversations between Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin.
Szijjártó discussed efforts to remove Russian citizens selected by the Kremlin from the EU sanctions list, and ways to oppose EU sanctions against Russia.
Orbán’s Response to Tusk
“Dear Donald Tusk, I wonder if this film was made in Poland or by your bosses in Berlin,” Orbán wrote in response to the video. “I fight for what is best for Hungarians. There was a time when you did the same for Poland. Pole, Hungarian, two brothers!”
Tusk’s Remarks on Szijjártó’s Contacts
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated on Tuesday, regarding reports of Szijjártó’s contacts with Moscow, that the revelations confirmed a “very worrying political dependence” of Viktor Orbán’s government and Szijjártó on Russian authorities.
Dispute Over the European Union and Future Relations
Tusk said transcripts and audio recordings of Szijjártó’s conversations with Lavrov revealed an “unacceptable and peculiar” relationship between Budapest and Moscow. He described the situation as “absolutely disqualifying.”
He emphasized the importance of Hungarian citizens being aware that the Polish-Hungarian relationship had not changed, adding, “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 the European Union.”
Polish-Hungarian Friendship
Tusk noted that Polish-Hungarian friendship had endured for centuries.
He expressed his hope that the citizens of Hungary were aware that these relations had not changed.
