Polish FM Flags Suspicious Timing of Hungary Pipeline Alert
“Suspiciously opportune timing,” Sikorski wrote on US social media platform X, noting the incident occurred less than a week before Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary election, where Orban’s Fidesz party faces its toughest challenge in years.
Orban stated Sunday that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had informed him explosives were found near the TurkStream pipeline extension in northern Serbia close to the Hungarian border. Orban immediately convened an emergency meeting of Hungary’s defence council, calling the event a potential act of sabotage.
Although the Hungarian government did not directly blame Ukraine, Orban and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto hinted at Kyiv’s possible involvement, linking the alleged plot to prior disputes over Russian oil and gas transit through Ukraine.
Polish officials expressed skepticism. Sikorski’s comment reflected broader concerns in Warsaw that the timing of the incident could serve Orban politically just days before the April 12 vote, particularly following several clashes between Poland and Hungary over Budapest’s close ties to Moscow.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk last week accused Orban’s government of political dependence on Russia after reports surfaced of contacts between Szijjarto and Russian officials. Tusk said Hungary had “effectively left the EU a long time ago” and described its relationship with Moscow as “repulsive.”
Senior Polish officials have repeatedly cautioned that Russia could exploit security scares and disinformation campaigns in Central Europe. Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski previously accused Russia of attempting to interfere in elections and destabilize neighboring countries through hybrid operations.
The episode underscores the widening divide between Warsaw and Budapest since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Poland has become one of Kyiv’s staunchest allies, while Hungary has maintained close ties with Moscow, repeatedly delaying or blocking EU initiatives supporting Ukraine.
Hungary’s opposition leader Peter Magyar also questioned the timing of the pipeline alert, saying he had been warned in advance that “something might happen” near the Serbian gas pipeline before the election. He accused Orban of stoking fear and suggested the incident could be a staged “false flag” operation. Ukraine similarly denied any involvement, suggesting Russia might have orchestrated the episode to influence the Hungarian election campaign.
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