2026-04-15 15:35
publication
2026-04-15 15:35
Finance Minister Andrzej Domański said on CNN that Putin cannot be allowed to win the war against Ukraine, and that a special EU loan of EUR 90 billion should be made available to it as soon as possible. He expressed his belief that after the elections in Hungary, cooperation with Budapest will be easier.
Domański commented in an interview with an American television station on the potential consequences of the parliamentary elections in Hungary. According to incomplete results, Peter Magyar's opposition TISHA party won, which means that after 16 years, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party will be removed from power.
– I am glad that the results of the elections in Hungary clearly indicate that Hungarians have chosen Europe and it will certainly be easier for us to cooperate with the new Hungarian government – he said. When asked what arguments he would use to convince Hungarians, who are skeptical about Ukraine, to support Kiev, he replied that Poland's arguments were clear.
– We must support Ukraine. We must, we simply cannot, allow (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin to win this war. And the EUR 90 billion special loan must be available to Ukraine as soon as possible. (…) I hope we will be able to launch it, he said.
The loan and the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia for the war against Ukraine were blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also joined in blocking sanctions against Russia.
The head of the Ministry of Finance was asked to compare the experience of the current Polish government with reversing the changes introduced by the previous authorities with what awaits Hungary. Domański assessed that the future government of Peter Magyar faces an even more difficult task.
– Law and Justice destroyed the Polish state for eight years, Orban ruled for 16 years. So I expect that it may be even more difficult for the new Hungarian government to introduce significant changes, but I keep my fingers crossed, he said. – I know that (politicians of the current Hungarian opposition – PAP) are very focused and strive for change. But our experience shows that it will not be easy, he noted.
Domański is in Washington on the occasion of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and the meeting of G20 finance ministers. When asked about the condition of the Polish economy in the face of the war in the Middle East, he replied that although this conflict translates into higher fuel prices, the Polish economy is doing very well compared to other countries on the continent.
– We have the lowest unemployment in the European Union and, according to the latest forecasts of the International Monetary Fund, we will be the fastest growing large European economy this year – argued Domański.
He also listed the actions taken by the government in this situation. – Oil prices have increased significantly, as have prices at gas stations. We have launched a special program and decided to reduce VAT on fuel to make life easier for Polish citizens, he said.
The war in the Middle East, after the US and Israel's attack on Iran on February 28, resulted in an increase in global crude oil prices, as well as in the prices of ready-made fuels, which translated into retail prices of these products at stations, including in Poland. Due to rising oil prices and increasing fuel prices at stations, the government announced a temporary “Fuel Prices Lower” (CPN) regulatory package at the end of March. It assumes, among others: a reduction in VAT and excise duty on fuels, as well as maximum fuel prices.
Regulation reducing VAT on fuel from 23 to 8 percent. is valid until April 30, and the regulation reducing excise duty – until April 15. Moreover, the Ministry of Energy publishes an announcement on maximum fuel prices every weekday. The maximum price is valid from the day following its publication in Monitor Polski.
From Washington Oskar Górzyński (PAP)
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