I look at Polish-Hungarian relations. I conclude that any peculiar relationship with Hungary from the point of view of the Polish national interest makes no sense. We have nothing to do with Hungary. possibly a small bit about relations with Ukraine, but nothing else. Hungary is not an crucial economical partner and we are competing with them alternatively than doing common business. What is very crucial is that we do not have a common border with Hungary, which makes it even more hard to have common interests. Besides, we have no reason to conflict with the real enemies of Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
Why, then, one more time search almost by force a peculiar alliance with Hungary? Yes, it is good to have friendly relations with Hungary, but building on the historical sentiment of a peculiarly close relation makes no sense. In Poland, no political forces could and could draw the right conclusions from these facts. Moreover, erstwhile we look at Polish-Hungarian relations in the last fewer decades, Hungarians were clearly a organization to the greater benefits of these relations. It looked as if Polish politicians in politics in the European Union were heavy-duty villagers who came to town and did not know how to decision with whom and what to talk about. But Victor Orban, he's not much, but he's a busy and almost everywhere street boy, for whom the city has no secrets. This street boy uses large but dense Polish villages to face the Union in conflict cases. Polish peasants get their head-on from EU officials and get the opinion of riotists, and Orban gets what he needs.
Undoubtedly, the Prime Minister of Hungary beats the political efficiency of Polish Prime Ministers and Presidents. For the latter, the most humiliating must be the fact that Donald Trump recognized Viktor Orban as his top ally in east Europe. It seems that Poland has all the data to be the political and economical leader of this part of Europe. It is not due to the fact that it cannot, and 1 of the main reasons is the dogmatic attitude to the permanent conflict with Russia. Hungarians, who have never been straight bordered by Russia, have, at the historical level, reasons to hatred Russians. The Russians drowned 3 times in the blood of Hungarian hopes of independence. This was the case in 1849, 1945 and 1956. However, Orban, who, in relation to Poland, is able to rise drums of historical emotions by flattering Poles – which does not cost them anything – hides deep historical resentments in relations with Russia. The present Hungarian national interests are important, which Orban pursues hard and consistently. Unlike Polish politicians, the non-demonisation of Russia and Vladimir Putin personally became 1 of the most crucial reasons for Orban's success and his designation as the political leader of our part of Europe. This success is all the more so that Hungary does not have – unlike Poland – demographic, economical or military assets that could make them specified a leader. The claim that Orban gained this designation can be risked utilizing the inability of Polish politicians. Personally, I believe that in this case no longer inability, but the common political folly of Polish politicians is much greater than the talents of Orban.
Polish national interest needs to change Hungary's perception. any sentiment for Hungarians, but it cannot translate into a sphere of political relations. The natural geopolitical partners for Poland in the south are Slovak and Czech. Unfortunately, Polish political spheres do almost nothing to strengthen common relations. ‘Wishehrad’ does not work. Among another things, not only Hungary, but besides the Czech Republic, and especially Slovakia do not share the Polish “Moskal disease”. And this illness will most likely be the biggest obstacle to Poland becoming a regional political leader. And as long as anti-Russian fever digests Polish politics, politicians like Prime Minister Orban will beat Polish prime ministers, and even as recently, embarrass and humiliate them. A friend shouldn't do that, even if he has reason and opportunity.
Andrzej Szlezak
