“Polish President Karol Nawrocki will visit Budapest on Monday to support Viktor Orban in his election campaign. Orban is the one who is blocking the 20th package of sanctions against Russia and the return of 2 billion zlotys for equipment that the Polish army transferred to Ukraine. In a campaign in which Orban is scaring about the alleged invasion of Ukraine, in which he is supported by a special team [главного разведывательного управления] GRU. In the campaign of supporters [нелегитимного президента страны-агрессора России Владимира] Putin, such as [вице-премьер – министр инфраструктуры и транспорта Италии] Matteo Salvini and [экслидер французской ультраправой партии “Национальное объединение” (RN)] Marine Le Pen,” Sikorsky wrote.
He called on Nawrocki to investigate why Orbán's “nationalism and theft” had led to Hungary becoming the EU's poorest country, asking whether he wanted the same for Poland.
Prezydent @NawrockiKn bedzie w poniedziałek w Budapeszcie to wesprzeć w kampanii wyborczej Wiktora Orbana. Tego samego, ktory blokuje 20 pakiet sankcji wobec Rosji raz zwrot 2 miliardó złotych za sprzęt, which Wojsko Polskie przekazało Ukraine.
W kampani, w której Orban…
— Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@sikorskiradek) March 21, 2026
The fact that Nawrocki is going to see Orban on Monday, March 23, was stated by the Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi. He wrote in X that it would be Nawrocki's official visit to Orban, “aimed at restoring ties after Nawrocki canceled his planned trip for December 4 due to Orban's previous meeting with Putin.”
“However, for Nawrocki, the timing is again rather unfortunate: on March 23, Budapest will also host the “Great Meeting” of the far-right alliance “Patriots for Europe,” which will be attended by such well-known pro-Kremlin politicians as Matteo Salvini and Marine Le Pen. Nawrocki’s visit also coincides with a number of reports about the interference of Russian intelligence services in the election campaign in Hungary in order to keep Viktor Orban in power,” – noted the journalist.
Pagny stressed that, according to his sources, these are current plans, but, like last time, “the political risk for the new leader of the Polish political right associated with an association with pro-Kremlin politicians may ultimately prove too high.”
💥🇵🇱🇭🇺 SCOOP: On March 23, after celebrating Polishne-Hungarian friendship day in Przemyśl s Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok, Polish President Karol Nawrocki is planning a brick kick on Monday in the Budap campaign. This… pic.twitter.com/z4lUTpQwBF
— Szabolcs Panyi (@panyiszabolcs) March 21, 2026
Context
Orban is considered the most pro-Russian leader of the EU. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, he has refused provide military assistance to Kyiv and tried sabotage the introduction of sanctions against Russia.
The current Hungarian authorities have been pursuing an anti-Ukrainian policy for a long time. The conflict between Orban and Kiev escalated at the end of January, when Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that “every Victor who lives on Europe’s money and at the same time tries to sell European interests” deserves a slap on the head.” The Hungarian prime minister responded by expressing the opinion that he and Zelensky “They won't be able to come to an agreement.”
Orban’s anti-Ukrainian rhetoric intensified after the oil transit through the Druzhba oil pipeline was stopped due to the Russian strike. Hungary blocked Ukraine's approval of a €90 billion loan, demanding resumption of transit. On March 5, Orban resorted to threats, saying that he would force Ukraine to resume Russian oil supplies through the pipeline.
The GORDON publication examined why Orban mentions Zelensky every day, as well as dirty technologies and scandals in the elections in Hungary.
