EU Leaders Alerted After Leaks Suggest Hungary Coordinating With Russia
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to raise concerns with EU leaders regarding “alarming” leaks that suggest the Hungarian government has been systematically informing Russia about internal European Union processes. The move underscores growing tensions between Budapest and Brussels over Hungary’s diplomatic ties with Moscow.
The controversy centers on published conversations between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. In one specific exchange, Szijjártó is heard discussing an EU document with Lavrov, stating, “I will send it, it’s no problem.”
Following the release of these recordings, the EU has demanded urgent explanations from Hungary. The leaked phone calls appear to indicate a level of coordination with Russia that contradicts the bloc’s collective security and political objectives.
In response to the backlash, Péter Szijjártó has defended the government’s actions, describing Hungary’s foreign policy as “pragmatic.” This stance has led to a sharp clash with the French Foreign Minister, whom Szijjártó criticized following the minister’s reactions to the leaks.
The situation has also raised internal security concerns within Hungary. Péter Tarjányi has sounded an alarm, suggesting that the very existence of these leaked recordings proves that “someone is listening,” pointing to a potential breach of secure communications.
This development highlights the deepening rift between Hungary and its EU partners, as the Commission seeks to determine the extent to which sensitive union information has been shared with the Kremlin.
