A newly released recording has intensified scrutiny of Hungary’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Péter Szijjártó, who is already facing backlash over reports that he shared sensitive information with Russia during EU meetings.
On Tuesday, investigative journalists published a 94-second phone call between Szijjártó and Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov. In the recording, Lavrov asks for Hungary’s help in removing Gulbahor Ismailov, the sister of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, from the European Union’s sanctions list. Szijjártó responds that Hungary, alongside Slovakia, is preparing a proposal to support her delisting.
The leak comes amid separate allegations reported by The Washington Post, claiming Szijjártó disclosed confidential details to Russian officials during Foreign Affairs Council meetings in Brussels.
The controversy emerges just ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections, where concerns over foreign influence and the government’s ties to Moscow have become central issues. Szijjártó has defended his actions, stating that maintaining communication with Russian counterparts is a standard part of diplomacy.
The recorded conversation, dated 30 August 2024, took place shortly after Szijjártó returned from Saint Petersburg. In it, he assured Lavrov that Hungary would push to remove Ismailova from the sanctions list during the EU’s next review cycle.
Under EU rules, sanctions must be unanimously renewed every six months. Ismailova was ultimately removed from the list in March 2025, alongside other Russian figures.
Despite the backlash, Szijjártó dismissed the leak, accusing foreign intelligence services of intercepting his communications. He insisted that Hungary’s stance remains consistent: opposing sanctions that threaten national energy security or lack clear justification.
via Euronews
