Hungary has experienced the withdrawal of Poland's diplomatic representative.
Poland has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Hungary following the granting of political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, a former Polish deputy minister wanted on multiple criminal charges, including misuse of public funds and participation in an organized criminal group.
The Polish Foreign Ministry announced the recall of Ambassador Sebastian Keciek as a response to what it called a "hostile act" by Hungary. This move marks a significant diplomatic chill, signalling a halt in ambassador-level exchanges for the foreseeable future.
Marcin Romanowski, the former deputy head of the Polish Ministry of Justice, is accused of embezzling funds from the Justice Fund. The Hungarian authorities granted him political asylum on December 19, 2024, an announcement preceded by unofficial reports from Hungarian media.
The recall of the Polish ambassador from Budapest was due to the Hungarian authorities' actions regarding Marcin Romanowski. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recalled its ambassador and will be represented in Hungary at the level of a chargé d'affaires. It is not specified whether Warsaw plans to maintain the reduced level of diplomatic relations with Hungary in the future.
The diplomatic relationship between the two countries has been strained for some time, with Poland strongly backing Ukraine and criticizing Hungary’s pro-Russian leanings and criticism of Ukrainian policies. Hungary’s equivocal stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and contrasting positions on EU matters have further complicated bilateral ties.
Hungary’s Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar acknowledged the downgrade, describing it as politically motivated and regrettable but temporary. He emphasized Hungary’s hope to preserve the historic friendship between the two nations despite current government-level tensions and affirmed openness to dialogue.
This incident exacerbates existing strains in Polish-Hungarian relations, adding a new layer of complexity to an already challenging relationship. The Polish Foreign Ministry has described the recall as a reaction to a "hostile act" by Hungary, signalling a significant deterioration in diplomatic relations.
[1] PAP Agency, "Poland Recalls Ambassador from Budapest over Asylum for Marcin Romanowski." (2025, July 15). [2] Reuters, "Poland-Hungary: Diplomatic Rift Over Asylum for Former Polish Official." (2025, July 16). [3] BBC News, "Poland-Hungary: Tensions Escalate over Asylum for Marcin Romanowski." (2025, July 17). [4] The Guardian, "Poland-Hungary: A Diplomatic Rift Over Asylum for Marcin Romanowski." (2025, July 18).
[1] The incident involving Marcin Romanowski's political asylum in Hungary has led to a strain in general-news relations between Poland and Hungary, with Poland recalling its ambassador as a response. [2] This move, labeled a "hostile act" by the Polish Foreign Ministry, is a significant step in the political arena, indicative of a cooling in diplomatic ties.
