Caught between Two Fronts
The Impact of the War against Ukraine on Poland’s and Hungary’s Relations with the EU
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
For several years, Poland and Hungary have been at odds with the European Commission over issues concerning the rule of law. To fend off demands and pressure, Warsaw and Budapest acted in concert. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has changed things. Poland has improved relations with Brussels and sees itself at the forefront of those states helping Ukraine by taking in refugees and supplying weapons. Hungary wants to maintain good bilateral relations with Russia, especially for economic reasons. This has also weakened the two states’ alliance for sovereignty vis a vis the EU. Both assess Germany’s policies in a similar way, albeit in opposite directions. Warsaw regards the reduction in energy imports from Russia as too halting, Berlin’s deliveries of weapons to Ukraine as insufficient, and the investments in the German armed forces as a potential risk. Budapest, on the other hand, sees its policy of restraint confirmed.
(Osteuropa 4-5/2022, pp. 117–126)