World

Poland Slams Hungary’s Russian Oil Dealings After Orbán’s Rebuke of Tusk’s Ukraine Stance

Poland’s official rebukes Hungary’s Orbán for criticizing Tusk’s Ukraine stance amid Russian oil reliance.

byAndres Castro

October 2, 2025, 12:33 PM

Numerous oil pumpjacks operate on a snow-covered landscape under a hazy sky

Oil pumpjacks are active on a snow-covered field, with structures and power lines visible in the background. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski publicly rebuked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for his criticism of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s stance on the war in Ukraine.

Orbán had accused Tusk of “playing a dangerous game” by declaring the conflict in Ukraine to be “our war.”

Bartoszewski countered by highlighting Hungary’s continued purchases of Russian oil, arguing it finances the war, and noted Hungary’s heavy reliance on Russian fossil fuels and opposition to EU sanctions.

The Story So Far

The public dispute between Poland and Hungary reflects a significant divergence within the European Union regarding the war in Ukraine, with Poland viewing it as a shared European conflict and Hungary maintaining a more detached stance. This disagreement is fundamentally linked to Hungary’s heavy reliance on Russian fossil fuels and its reported opposition to extending EU sanctions against Russia, which critics argue effectively finances Russia’s war effort.

Why This Matters

The public rebuke of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán by Poland highlights a significant and deepening divergence within the European Union regarding the interpretation of the war in Ukraine and the most effective strategies for European security, with Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian fossil fuels directly challenging the bloc’s unity and sanction efforts. This ongoing disagreement risks undermining collective European action against Russia and complicates the EU’s ability to present a unified front on critical foreign policy and energy security issues.

Who Thinks What?

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán believes Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is “playing a dangerous game” by declaring the conflict in Ukraine “our war,” asserting that Hungary and the European Union are not at war with Russia and that Tusk’s stance endangers millions of Europeans.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, echoing Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s view that the conflict in Ukraine is “our war,” argues that Hungary’s continued purchases of Russian oil actively finance the war and that ceasing these purchases is necessary to stop the conflict.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski on Wednesday publicly rebuked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán following Orbán’s criticism of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s stance on the war in Ukraine. Orbán had accused Tusk of “playing a dangerous game” with Europe’s security after Tusk declared the conflict in Ukraine to be “our war,” prompting Bartoszewski to highlight Hungary’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

Orbán’s Critique of Tusk’s Stance

Prime Minister Orbán’s comments came in response to a speech by Donald Tusk at the Warsaw Security Forum, where the Polish prime minister emphasized the shared European responsibility in the Ukrainian conflict. Orbán countered on social media, stating, “You may think that you are at war with Russia, but Hungary is not. Neither is the European Union,” and accused Tusk of endangering millions of Europeans.

Poland’s Counter-Argument on Russian Oil

Bartoszewski responded on Radio ZET, directly addressing Orbán’s remarks. He asserted that Hungary, by continuing to purchase Russian oil, is actively financing the war. Bartoszewski urged Hungary to cease these purchases, arguing that without financial support, Russia would be unable to sustain the conflict.

Hungary’s Energy Reliance and EU Sanctions

Hungary is identified as one of only two European prime ministers, alongside Slovakia’s Robert Fico, whose governments maintain heavy reliance on Russian fossil fuels. Both nations have also reportedly opposed extending EU sanctions against Russia. Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) indicates that Hungary imported €416 million worth of Russian fossil fuels in August alone, comprising €176 million in crude oil and €240 million in pipeline gas.

Divergent Approaches to European Security

The exchange underscores a significant divergence within the European Union regarding both the interpretation of the war in Ukraine and the most effective strategies for European security. Hungary’s energy policy and its stance on sanctions continue to be a point of contention among EU member states.