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Polish FM responds to criticism from Hungary amid Ukraine support dispute

16.05.2025 12:08
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, en route to Estonia for a Baltic Sea regional meeting, responded on social media to sharp criticism from his Hungarian counterpart, Péter Szijjártó.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

The dispute follows Poland’s calls for stronger support for Ukraine at a recent informal NATO foreign ministers meeting in Antalya, Turkey.

Szijjártó labelled Sikorski a “pro-war politician” and accused him of fueling an anti-Hungarian smear campaign linked to Ukraine’s bid for EU membership.

Speaking at a press conference after the NATO meeting, the Hungarian minister claimed that both Brussels and Warsaw are working to undermine Hungary’s voting rights on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

In response, Sikorski said on X: “I confirm that at the NATO ministerial in Turkey I asked whether it’s true, as Ukraine claims, that Hungarian military intelligence carried out reconnaissance in sub-Carpathian Ruthenia. Both sides should present evidence on this grievous matter. I struggle to understand Hungary’s hostility to invaded Ukraine.”

Szijjártó also launched a personal attack on Sikorski, calling him a “Sorosist and a Hungarian hater,” and accused him of echoing “all the allegations” from Ukraine’s recent "smear campaign" against Hungary.

The Hungarian foreign minister urged Hungarians to participate in the ongoing “Voks 2025” referendum - a government initiative asking voters whether they support Ukraine’s EU membership - describing it as a remedy to what he called the “Ukrainian-Polish-EU opium.”

Sikorski to meet Baltic foreign ministers in Tallinn

On Friday, Sikorski will attend the Baltic Sea States Council Ministerial Session in Tallinn, Estonia, where he is expected to meet foreign ministers from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and a representative of the European External Action Service.

The ministers will discuss the current security situation in the Baltic region, with a particular focus on protecting critical infrastructure.

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Source: IAR/X/@sikorskiradek