World

Poland Slams Hungary’s Russia Ties: How Energy Dependence Fuels EU Divisions Over Ukraine

Poland rebuked Hungary for supporting Russia via oil purchases. Orbán accused Tusk of endangering Europe.

October 2, 2025, 8:32 AM

Hungarian and Russian flags waving on poles against a blue sky

The flags of Hungary and Russia are displayed side-by-side, waving gently on poles against a backdrop of a cloudy blue sky, symbolizing international relations. By MDL.

Executive Summary

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

Bartoszewski accused Orbán of financing the war by continuing to purchase Russian oil, highlighting Hungary’s significant energy ties with Russia.

The disagreement underscores persistent divisions within the European Union regarding the approach to the war in Ukraine and the efficacy of sanctions against Russia.

The Story So Far

The public disagreement between Poland and Hungary stems from their divergent stances on the Ukraine war, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán asserting Hungary is not at war with Russia and criticizing rhetoric he deems dangerous. This position is further complicated by Hungary’s significant ongoing reliance on Russian fossil fuels, making it the European Union’s largest buyer and, as Poland argues, a financier of Russia’s war efforts, highlighting persistent divisions within the EU regarding its approach to the conflict and sanctions.

Why This Matters

The public rebuke of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán by Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister over Hungary’s continued purchase of Russian oil highlights the persistent and deep divisions within the European Union regarding the approach to the war in Ukraine and the efficacy of sanctions. This ongoing disagreement weakens the EU’s collective front against Russian aggression and underscores the challenge of achieving unified policy, especially concerning energy reliance, among member states.

Who Thinks What?

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

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, supporting Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s assertion that the conflict in Ukraine is “our war,” argues that Hungary is financing the war by continuing to purchase Russian oil, enabling Russia to continue its aggression.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski on Wednesday publicly rebuked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had accused his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, of “playing a dangerous game” with Europe’s security. The exchange followed Tusk’s assertion at the Warsaw Security Forum that the conflict in Ukraine was also “our war,” prompting Bartoszewski to highlight Hungary’s continued financial support for Russia through oil purchases.

Disagreement on Ukraine War Stance

Prime Minister Orbán’s criticism was a direct response to Prime Minister Tusk’s address at the Warsaw Security Forum. In a post on X, Orbán stated, “You may think that you are at war with Russia, but Hungary is not. Neither is the European Union,” directly accusing Tusk of endangering millions of Europeans with his rhetoric.

Speaking on Radio ZET, Deputy Foreign Minister Bartoszewski directly challenged Orbán’s stance. He asserted, “Dear Prime Minister, you are financing this war by purchasing Russian oil. This makes you one of only two prime ministers in Europe who are doing so. Please stop doing that – without money, the Russians will not be able to continue the war.”

Hungary’s Energy Reliance on Russia

Bartoszewski’s remarks alluded to Hungary’s and Slovakia’s ongoing reliance on Russian fossil fuels. Both governments have maintained significant energy ties with Russia, with Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico also opposing extended EU sanctions against Moscow.

According to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Hungary remains the European Union’s largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels. In August alone, the country imported €416 million worth, which included €176 million of crude oil and €240 million of pipeline gas.

Persistent EU Divisions

This public disagreement underscores the persistent divisions within the European Union regarding the approach to the war in Ukraine and the efficacy of sanctions against Russia, particularly concerning energy policy.