Leaked phone calls have heightened concerns. A mobile phone conversation between a Politico journalist and a close associate of Ursula von der Leyen was leaked online and referenced by pro-government media in Hungary ahead of the parliamentary election in April. The origin of the leak is unknown, and no spyware was found on the phones, which were taken out of use. Similarly, leaked tape recordings of phone calls between Hungary's foreign minister and his Russian counterpart were made public, also of unknown origin. Hungary and journalist organizations in Brussels reacted angrily. According to Aftonbladet, Dafydd ab Iago, chairman of the correspondents' organization API-IPA, described the leak as sending an ice-cold message to journalists and their sources.
Discussions in Brussels can rarely be held in complete secrecy. Embassies and national representations use completely closed meeting rooms without phones or equipment and encrypt sensitive messages. In 2003, recording equipment was found built into the walls at four locations inside the Justus Lipsius building, the Council's main building. At that time, fingers were pointed at the US or Israel; now Russia and China are primarily suspected. In 2019, the EU's foreign service warned that at least 250 Chinese and 200 Russian spies were estimated in Brussels. According to Aftonbladet, former US ambassador to Belgium Howard Gutman described often saying 'good night' to the ceiling during meetings.
An ice-cold message not only to journalists working in Brussels, but also our sources.
Brussels is one of the world's largest spy centers with hundreds of active intelligence agents targeting our institution.
Good night