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Polish President Nawrocki to visit Budapest as Orbán seeks allies
Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, is expected to travel to Budapest on Monday, 23 March. The visit carries both diplomatic and political significance. The trip has been confirmed by the president’s foreign affairs office after earlier reports by investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi.
From Przemyśl to Budapest
According to available information, Nawrocki will first attend an official ceremony marking the Day of Polish-Hungarian Friendship in Przemyśl, alongside Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok. Following the event, he is scheduled to travel to Budapest for talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Panyi writes in his Facebook post.
The meeting is expected to go beyond formal diplomacy, with reports suggesting that Nawrocki may express political support for Orbán during Hungary’s ongoing election campaign.
Repairing strained ties
The visit may also serve to mend previously strained relations between the two leaders. Nawrocki had cancelled a planned trip to Budapest in December after Orbán’s controversial visit to Moscow and meeting with Vladimir Putin. At the time, Polish officials emphasised that Russia bears sole responsibility for the war in Ukraine, which shows clear differences in approach.
Monday’s trip appears to be an attempt to reset that relationship, with both sides seeking to re-establish dialogue.
Controversial timing and political backlash
The timing of the visit has drawn criticism, particularly from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has been openly critical of Nawrocki. Tusk recently warned that participation in gatherings of eurosceptic and pro-Russian politicians in Budapest could strengthen what he described as a “dangerous strategy” that weakens the European Union and benefits Moscow.
His remarks are believed to refer to a political rally linked to the CPAC Hungary and a parallel “Patriots for Europe” event taking place in Budapest on the same day, where several high-profile right-wing figures are expected to appear.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó responded by inviting Tusk to visit Budapest as well, suggesting the Polish prime minister should engage directly before criticising the event.
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A high-stakes diplomatic moment
Nawrocki’s visit comes at a sensitive time, with reports of alleged foreign interference in Hungary’s election campaign and growing divisions within both Poland and the EU. For the Polish president, appearing alongside figures perceived as close to Moscow could carry political risks at home.