Polish PM: Poland and Hungary on different paths following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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Poland’s and Hungary’s paths have diverged in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said.

Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaks to reporters in Kózki, a village in the central Mazowieckie province, on Friday, July 29.Photo: PAP/Przemysław Piątkowski

The official was referring to a statement by his Hungarian counterpart and former political ally Viktor Orban, who, in a speech delivered last Saturday, argued that the unity of the Visegrad Group, comprising Central European countries, had been undermined by the war in Ukraine.

Also, according to Orban, Poland and Hungary differed on their perception of Russia’s aggression of Ukraine, a conflict which had shaken the two countries’ cooperation.

While Hungarians view the Russian invasion as a war of two Slavic nations, Poles „feel that they are also fighting in it,” Hungary’s leader said. 

Referring to Orban’s comments, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki said on Friday that „Poland is not taking part in the war in Ukraine,” stressing that „the war is being fought by Ukrainians.”

He also noted that „the heroic struggle of Ukrainians is supported by weapons – mainly American, but also British, Polish and from many other places” with the aim „to help them defend their sovereignty.”

In his speech, which sparked a wave of international indignation, Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban also warned against mixing with „non-Europeans,” employing rhetoric which some media outlets described as „Nazi” and „racist.”

In addition, he called on for a new strategy towards Russia, reiterating an earlier statement that „it’s not the EU’s job to take sides in this conflict” and arguing that EU sanctions against Moscow have proven ineffective.

(ał)

Source: PAP, Reuters 

Radio Poland