Hungary PM schools Poland PM on Russia-Ukraine war, reminds him that leaders should serve their own country: Read why Viktor Orban is refusing to bow down to NATO diktats

On 2nd October, Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, accused his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban, of ‘financing’ Russian war against Ukraine. Orban, however, did not hold back and said that while Tusk wants Hungary to side with Ukraine, he wants an end to the war. Taking to X, the Polish Prime Minister wrote, “Prime Minister @PM_ViktorOrban, it is Russia who started the war against Ukraine. It is them who decided we’re living in the time of war. And in such a time the only question is whose side are you on.” Prime Minister @PM_ViktorOrban, it is Russia who started the war against Ukraine. It is them who decided we’re living in the time of war. And in such a time the only question is whose side are you on.— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) October 2, 2025 In response, Prime Minister of Hungary wrote, “Dear Prime Minister @donaldtusk, Russia is at war. Ukraine is at war. Hungary is not. I understand that you stand firmly on the side of Ukraine. Please understand that we stand firmly on the side of Hungary. Your question is who will win the Russia–Ukraine war. My question is how we can end the war, save tens of thousands of lives and provide security for Hungarians. You seek to win a war you believe is yours. I want to ensure that peace prevails.” Dear Prime Minister @donaldtusk,Russia is at war. Ukraine is at war. Hungary is not.I understand that you stand firmly on the side of Ukraine. Please understand that we stand firmly on the side of Hungary.Your question is who will win the Russia–Ukraine war.My question is… https://t.co/myjLnGFeic— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) October 2, 2025 Polish PM claims Russia’s victory would threaten security of Poland and Europe, Hungarian PM calls it Tusk’s “dangerous game” The Polish and Hungarian Prime Ministers have in the recent times been continuously exchanging diplomatic blows. Earlier, Viktor Orban accused the Polish PM of “playing a dangerous game” with the lives of millions of Europeans. While the feud between Hungary and Poland has spilled over into scathing exchanges on X, the spat began on 29th September when, Polish PM Donald Tusk, speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, declared the Ukraine war as “our war”. He stressed that Russia’s victory in the ongoing war ‘threaten’ Poland, Europe and the world, inflicting consequences for future generations. PM Tusk framed the Russia-Ukraine war as a direct security issue for NATO allies. The Polish Prime Minister urged unified European support for Ukraine and tougher measures against Russia. He called Russian war against Ukraine, a recurring global projected intended for “enslaving nations, robbing individuals of freedom, and enabling the triumph of authoritarianism, despotism, cruelty and the erosion of human rights.” “If we lose this war, the consequences will affect not only our generation, but also future generations—in Poland, throughout Europe, in the United States, everywhere in the world,” Tusk warned. Donald Tusk’s rhetoric intensified on 2nd October at the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, where the Polish PM directly confronted his Hungarian counterpart, PM Orban. Tusk accused Orban on ambiguity on whose side Hungary is on at a “time of war” started by Russia. Poland has earlier too alleged that under PM Orban, Hungary has been ‘undermining’ EU sanctions on Russia, through alleged delayed approvals, vetoes on aid packages, and continued energy purchases. Poland claims that Hungary is ‘financing’ Moscow’s ‘war machine’ at the expense of Ukraine and the European unity. Addressing the summit in Copenhagen, PM Orban contended that the main danger to Europe was not Russia but Europe’s own economic stagnation and dwindling competitiveness. “Economic stagnation and losing competitiveness — this is the danger,” Orban said. He added that Europe’s military spending is way higher than Moscow’s. We have more than 400 million people. Russia has 130 and something. We spend altogether, 27 countries, more on military spending than the Russians. So, why are we afraid? We are stronger than they are. The question is whether we have leadership to come together and to defend our interests together. That’s what we should do anyway,” Orban said. Best dialogue at the Copenhagen summit!– Orban: “We all spend more on armaments than Russia, so why are we afraid? We are stronger than them.”– Tusk (tugging Orban by the sleeve): “I love it when he uses my arguments.” pic.twitter.com/7YF9Hs3Wfs— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 2, 2025 He further asserted that the challenge for Europe is not Russia’s strength, but a lack of leadership and unity. Countering Orban’s argument, the Polish PM said, “After the latest events in Poland, I mean the violation of our airspace, this is something very concrete. And the Russian aggression against Ukraine as well,” he said. “This is why the possible consequences of a Russian victory will be dramatically dangerous for Europe and for the whole We