Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has admitted that he regularly communicates with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during private EU foreign affairs meetings, following reports that he contacted Lavrov during breaks in Brussels gatherings. Szijjártó emphasized that speaking with international partners is an essential part of diplomacy.
Earlier, the Hungarian government had dismissed these reports as fake news. The Washington Post had reported that Szijjártó’s calls with Lavrov were routine, raising concerns among EU member states bound by the principle of sincere cooperation, where meeting content is considered confidential.
The European Commission called on Hungary to clarify the matter, describing the reports as “concerning.” Szijjártó defended his actions, stating that EU decisions on energy, the automotive industry, and security directly affect Hungary’s relations with partners outside the bloc. He noted that he also communicates with American, Turkish, Israeli, and Serbian counterparts before and after EU Council meetings.
The revelations come amid rising political tensions ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party facing strong competition from opposition leader Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party. Orbán’s government is among the few in Europe maintaining close ties with the Kremlin and continues importing large volumes of Russian fossil fuels despite EU pressure. Szijjártó has made 16 visits to Moscow since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, including a trip on 4 March where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
