A meeting between Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has triggered a rebuke from Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
Przydacz Defends Presidential Meeting
Przydacz dismissed criticism of Karol Nawrocki’s meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, stating that the President did not discuss electoral matters.
He emphasized that President Nawrocki “did not utter a word about the election topic.”
Sikorski Accuses President of Supporting Orbán
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski labeled the meeting as “nonsense,” asserting that the Foreign Ministry expects the Polish President to refrain from interfering in the elections of other countries to benefit “corrupt clients of Putin.”
Sikorski argued there was no protocol or political necessity for Nawrocki to “pilgrimage” to a lower-ranking official like the Prime Minister, suggesting the visit aimed to support Orbán’s electoral campaign.
Nawrocki Proposes Energy Cooperation to Orbán
Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz stated that Karol Nawrocki proposed to Viktor Orbán that Hungary become independent from Russian gas and collaborate with Poland using the interconnector in Strachocina, Podkarpackie.
Nawrocki also reportedly expressed disagreement with Hungary’s stance on Ukraine and critically assessed Budapest’s approach to Moscow.
Orbán Announces Halt to Gas Supplies to Ukraine
Viktor Orbán announced on Wednesday, March 25th, that Hungary would suspend gas deliveries to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline are resumed.
Orbán stated they would gradually halt gas deliveries and store the surplus domestically, prioritizing filling Hungarian storage facilities over Ukrainian ones.
Tusk Links Visit to Orbán’s Decision
Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented that the suspension of gas supplies to Ukraine was the “first effect” of Karol Nawrocki’s visit to Budapest, claiming “Putin is pleased.”
Marcin Przydacz countered on Polsat News that the visit could not have altered the situation, noting Hungary has significant issues with Ukraine.