Polish President Karol Nawrocki visited Hungary on Monday, 23 March, symbolically reviving long-frozen Polish–Hungarian relations on the Day of Polish–Hungarian Friendship. During his visit, Nawrocki met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, highlighting the contrast between Poland’s presidential and governmental foreign policy.
‘We are connected by centuries of shared history and common national heroes,’ Nawrocki wrote in a post on X following the meetings, thanking Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok—whom he met earlier on Monday in Poland—and Orbán for the ‘fruitful discussions’. He added that the two countries are connected by ‘centuries of shared history and common national heroes’, noting that Hungary ‘extended a hand to us when we were defending ourselves against Russian Bolshevism in 1920, and we showed them solidarity in 1956 when Kremlin imperialism was crushing their freedom.’
‘We, Poles, love Hungarians, and we hate the war criminal Putin. Russia will always be a threat to us, while Hungary will remain an eternal friend,’ Nawrocki concluded.
The remarks regarding Russia carry a clear domestic political message, responding to ‘pro-Russian’ accusations from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government in connection with Nawrocki’s visit to Hungary. The president arrived in Budapest amid claims of Russian interference in Hungary’s upcoming elections, as well as allegations that Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó leaked confidential EU information to Moscow for years.
The Hungarian government rejected the accusations, pointing to what it described as a coordinated foreign intelligence operation aimed at undermining Orbán just weeks ahead of the vote, suggesting that Polish intelligence services, alongside the European Commission, may be behind the claims.
‘While the Tusk government appears invested in a change of government in Hungary, Nawrocki has moved to revive the historical partnership’
Relations between Poland and Hungary—key allies over the past decades and long before, sharing a deep historical friendship—have deteriorated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, largely due to Budapest’s continued ties with Moscow and Warsaw’s strongly hostile position towards Russia, shaped by their troubled shared history. Following the victory of Donald Tusk’s coalition in the October 2023 parliamentary elections, ties between the two traditional allies further worsened, effectively freezing the Visegrád Four cooperation and leading to repeated attacks on Hungary by the Tusk administration.
Budapest had hoped relations might improve following Nawrocki’s election as president in May 2025, as he is supported by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, a long-time ally of Orbán and his Fidesz–KDNP governing alliance. This has resulted in a dual-track Polish approach towards Hungary: while the Tusk government appears invested in a change of government in Hungary, Nawrocki has moved to revive the historical partnership, partially countering the Hungarian opposition’s promise to restore ties with Warsaw if elected.
Political Director of the Hungarian Prime Minister Balázs Orbán wrote on X that Nawrocki’s meeting with Orbán honoured a ‘friendship spanning over a thousand years, rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and lasting commitment to strong and sovereign nations.’
Similarly, during a joint press conference with Nawrocki in Poland, President Sulyok emphasized that the friendship between the two nations is ‘an integral part’ of their cultures, not ‘exposed to politics’, but rather a deeply rooted phenomenon that has developed organically over centuries. He stressed that Hungary and Poland have been bound by Christian values since their statehood, and that their long-standing relationship rests on firm foundations.
Related articles:
At a time when public debate is increasingly polarized and superficial, Hungarian Conservative remains committed to depth, intellectual honesty, and independent conservative thought.
Producing high-quality journalism requires resources. Your contribution helps us expand our coverage, reach new audiences, and keep our content accessible.
Please consider supporting our mission.
