BREAKING – Poland permanently recalls ambassador from Hungary amid strained relations
For some time, Poland’s ambassadorial seat in Budapest has sat empty, but this absence was presumed temporary—until now. Warsaw has announced there will be no ambassador-level diplomatic exchanges with Hungary for the foreseeable future, casting doubt on whether Budapest will respond in kind by recalling its ambassador from Warsaw.
The news broke on the Facebook page of Levente Magyar, Hungary’s Deputy Foreign Minister. Magyar delivered the message calmly, suggesting that Hungary was not surprised by Poland’s move. He clarified that the ambassador’s recall is politically motivated and confirmed that official diplomatic ties would now be downgraded to the level of a chargé d’affaires. Tensions between the Polish government under Donald Tusk and Viktor Orbán’s administration in Hungary have long been apparent.
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While Magyar refrained from openly discussing the cause, it is widely acknowledged that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marked a turning point in Polish-Hungarian relations. The vast majority of Polish politicians have rallied behind Ukraine’s defence, supporting Kyiv as a safeguard against Russian expansion.
Conversely, Hungary has taken a more equivocal position, asserting Russia’s legitimate claims in Ukraine and frequently criticising Ukrainian policies. The latest clash point was the controversial report of a Hungarian citizen’s alleged forced conscription and subsequent death.
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Yet, Levente Magyar emphasised that Poland’s decision does not signal the end of the centuries-old friendship between the two nations. He asserted that this diplomatic chill is merely temporary, expressing hope for smoother cooperation in the future.
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Orbán cabinet wants the EU to place 3 Ukrainian military leaders on sanctions list
The government has called on the European Union to place three Ukrainian military leaders responsible for forced conscription on the bloc’s sanctions list, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said on Wednesday in connection with the Hungarian-Ukrainian conscript who recently died.
Szijjártó said in a ministry statement that the Council of Europe had confirmed that “a real manhunt” was taking place on the streets of Ukraine, and its human rights report said people evading conscription were “sometimes beaten and tortured”.
Referring to videos made public in recent months, he said it was “horrifying” how Ukrainian army recruiters treated people, “and it is equally horrifying how European political leaders turn a blind eye to this intolerable situation.”
He added that those responsible “must be found … [and] punished”. “We demand that three people serving in the Ukrainian defence ministry and the army leadership who are responsible for forced conscription be held accountable,” Szijjártó said.