Poland’s President Cancels Meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Over Moscow Visit

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has cancelled a planned meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, following the latter’s recent visit to Moscow. The decision was announced by Marcin Przydacz, Poland’s presidential state secretary, on Sunday. Orban had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to discuss Ukraine, trade, and energy supplies, despite the EU’s diplomatic boycott of Russia over the conflict with Kiev.

Nawrocki was scheduled to travel to Hungary on December 3 for a two-day visit, which included a summit of Visegrad Group leaders and an official meeting with Orban. However, the meeting with Orban has been cancelled, and Nawrocki will now only attend the Visegrad Group summit. Przydacz cited the security legacy of late Polish President Lech Kaczynski and the importance of European solidarity, including on energy issues, as the reason for the decision.

Orban’s visit to Moscow has been criticized by some European leaders, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stating that the Hungarian PM had traveled to Moscow “without a European mandate.” Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob also alleged that Orban “has not been playing for the European team for some time.” However, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto defended the visit, emphasizing that Hungary pursues a sovereign foreign policy guided by national interests.

Hungary has refused to send weapons to Kiev or to solely blame Russia for the conflict. During his meeting with Putin, Orban was thanked for his “reasonable position on the Ukraine issue.” The development highlights the ongoing divisions within the EU over its approach to the conflict in Ukraine and its relations with Russia.

The cancellation of the meeting between Nawrocki and Orban is significant, as it reflects the tensions between Poland and Hungary over their differing approaches to the conflict in Ukraine. Poland has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, while Hungary has taken a more neutral stance. The Visegrad Group summit, which Nawrocki will still attend, will provide an opportunity for the leaders of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia to discuss regional issues, including energy security and cooperation.