EU demands explanations from Hungary over new 'leaks' involving Szijjarto and Lavrov
Photo: Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto (Getty Images)
The EU is demanding explanations from Budapest following new "leaks" involving Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, according to a statement by the European Commission’s chief spokesperson Paula Pinho during a briefing.
It is noted that the EU is concerned about the information that Peter Szijjarto may have passed to the Russian minister during phone conversations.
Paula Pinho emphasized that data from the journalistic investigation highlights an "alarming possibility" that Budapest is coordinating its actions with Moscow.
"Thus, actively working against the security and the interests of the EU and all its citizens. This is, therefore, extremely concerning. And it is, for the Member State's government in question to explain itself as a matter of urgency," her statement said.
The European Commission spokesperson added that Ursula von der Leyen will also raise this issue at the level of national leaders.
What preceded this
On March 31, audio recordings of phone conversations between Peter Szijjarto and Sergey Lavrov regarding the lifting of sanctions on influential Russians were leaked online.
In particular, Lavrov asked the Hungarian minister for help in removing from the sanctions lists the sister of oligarch Alisher Usmanov — Gulbahor Ismailova. Szijjarto promised to help, and seven months later, Ismailova was indeed removed from the list.
After that, on April 8, Szijjarto again became embroiled in a scandal just days before Hungary’s elections due to a new leak of conversations with Lavrov. In these talks, the two ministers discussed issues related to Ukraine’s EU accession, sanctions against Russia, and other sensitive topics for Europe.
Recently, The Washington Post reported that Szijjarto had been in regular contact with Lavrov during breaks in Brussels meetings.
Later, Szijjarto acknowledged that he regularly contacts Lavrov during closed meetings of the EU Council. He stated that, at the ministerial level, no secrets are allegedly discussed.
