Hungary’s overseas minister has rebuked Poland, as a diplomatic rift emerges between the 2 nations
A diplomatic feud has erupted between two EU member states, following Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s speech in Romania on Saturday – during which he slammed Poland’s insurance policies as “two-faced,” citing Warsaw’s reported commerce with Russia amid EU sanctions.
Polish Deputy Overseas Minister Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski issued a pointy response to Orban’s accusations on Sunday, claiming that “in contrast to” Hungary, Poland doesn’t do enterprise with Moscow, and suggesting that Budapest go away the EU and NATO if it doesn’t like their insurance policies.
Shortly afterwards, Hungarian Overseas Minister Peter Szijjarto took to social media to recommend that Bartoszewski’s response reveals that “the reality hurts”.
Hungary has “endured the provocations and hypocrisy” of the present Polish authorities “for a very long time” to be able to keep good relationship with its neighbor, mentioned Szijjarto, however now “the glass is full,” he mentioned.
Whereas the present Polish authorities “judges and accuses” Hungary for importing crude oil from Russia, “if we take have a look at the checklist of patrons of one of many largest Russian oil corporations, we will definitely discover the Poles there as nicely,” the overseas minister acknowledged, with out elaborating.
Earlier than the beginning of the Ukraine battle, Poland imported crude oil by way of Russia’s Druzhba pipeline, and thru a Baltic Sea terminal in Gdansk. In 2022, the proportion of Russian oil in Poland’s imports amounted to 60%. Final yr a contract with state-run Rosneft expired, and a take care of Russia’s fifth largest oil firm Tatneft was terminated early.
In 2022 Brussels prohibited the acquisition, import or switch of seaborne crude oil and sure petroleum merchandise from Russia to the EU. To make sure their power safety, landlocked Hungary, together with Slovakia, had been granted exemptions and allowed to import pipeline oil.
Russia’s oil is “completely obligatory” for Hungary’s operation, Szijjarto acknowledged.
Hungary has turn into a vocal opponent of the EU’s coverage of offering army help to Ukraine in its battle with Russia and has blocked funds to Kiev.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban drew condemnation from EU leaders earlier this month for his “peace mission,” throughout which he visited Kiev, Moscow, and Beijing in an effort to barter a diplomatic resolution to the battle.
Polish Overseas Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Monday accused Orban of “egoism” and acknowledged that Hungary’s actions are “inflicting common irritation” within the EU.
Poland has been among the many most vocal supporters of Ukraine in its battle with Russia. It has served as NATO’s main conduit for weapons, ammunition, and gear deliveries to Kiev, whereas sustaining that it isn’t really a celebration to the hostilities.
