The European Commission has called on Hungary to clarify “deeply concerning” reports alleging that Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó shared sensitive EU information with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
According to reports by The Washington Post, Szijjártó was allegedly in regular contact with Lavrov during EU meetings in Brussels, including communicating with him during breaks in closed-door sessions.
The allegations are considered highly serious, as EU member states are bound by principles of mutual trust and confidentiality in internal discussions.
The Hungarian government has denied the claims, dismissing them as “fake news.” However, a spokesperson for the European Commission stated that such reports are “very concerning” and stressed that trust among member states and institutions is fundamental to the functioning of the EU.
“We expect the Hungarian government to provide explanations,” the spokesperson said.
The controversy comes amid rising political tensions ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections. The ruling Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is facing a strong challenge from the opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar.
Hungary remains one of the few EU countries maintaining close ties with Kremlin, continuing to import large volumes of fossil fuels from Russia despite EU efforts to reduce dependency.
Szijjártó has visited Moscow multiple times since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022, most recently on March 4, when he met Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among the first to react, stating that such reports “should not come as a surprise” and that suspicions had existed for some time.
EU institutions are now assessing whether any rules were violated, while officials say the issue reflects a broader erosion of trust between Budapest and other member states.
The reports also follow a recent decision by Orbán to veto a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine, further intensifying divisions within the bloc.
Opposition leader Péter Magyar заявил that if his party comes to power, it will investigate the matter, warning that if confirmed, the alleged actions could amount to “treason” with severe legal consequences.
