On July 17, Donald Tusk's squad decided to cancel their ambassador in Hungary, which sparked stormy reactions in Budapest. The spokesperson for the Ministry of abroad Affairs, Paweł Wroński, confirmed that Ambassador Sebastian Kęciek had completed his mission and Poland had given an authoritative protest note. This decision is simply a direct consequence to the granting of asylum to Marcin Romanowski by the Hungarian authorities, which was considered a motion hostile to Poland.
In a comment by Peter Szijjárto, Hungarian abroad Minister, he stressed that Budapest has a deep interest in cooperation with Poland, but the current authorities in Warsaw do not show specified interest. Szijjárto further pointed to differences in approach to the conflict in Ukraine as an crucial origin affecting relations between the 2 countries.
Levente Magyar, Secretary of State in the Hungarian Ministry of abroad Affairs, on his Facebook profile, described Poland's decision as reducing the level of bilateral diplomatic relations, although expressed hope for a future improvement in relations.
"The progressive deterioration of political relations has led to this regrettable step, which has no precedent in the past of relations with our Central European partners," Magyar wrote.
Key facts concerning this situation besides include the arrest of Marcin Romanowski, erstwhile Deputy Minister of Justice, by the Polish prosecution. Romanowski is suspected of participating in criminal activities related to the Justice Fund, which led to further deterioration of relations between Warsaw and Budapest.
Radosław Sikorski, Polish minister of abroad affairs, criticized the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban in harsh words, accusing him of working with Putin and sabotaging the activities of the European Union. This dispute exacerbated political tensions between Poland and Hungary, but Magyar assures that this is simply a transitional situation and will not ruin long-term relationship between both nations.
"Despite current political disputes, we are ready to keep dialogue, preparing for the coming good times in our countries' alliance," added Magyar.
As a consequence of the decision to revoke the Ambassador, Poland is presently represented in Hungary by chargé d’affaires. This situation has a symbolic dimension and can affect the further improvement of diplomatic relations between Poland and Hungary.
In the context of this conflict, Péter Szijártó – the head of the Hungarian MFA accused Radosław Sikorski of losing his sanity and provoking war:
“Minister Sikorski has clearly lost his head and is starting to provoke war.” he wrote on x.com
Sikorski responded to these allegations, informing against the effects of nationalism and sabotage of the European Union's actions, suggesting Orban's cooperation with Putin as a destabilising component for Europe:
“Victor Orban made Hungary the poorest country of the European Union and now threatens to leave it. I am not afraid of this threat due to the fact that for years, in coordination with Putin, the Union has sabotaged.”
This exchange of views further heats the atmosphere between the 2 countries, highlighting the deep divisions and differences in approach to key European issues.
