The European Commission has called on Hungary to clarify what it described as "concerning" reports that Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó allegedly shared sensitive information from European Union meetings with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. According to reports in The Washington Post, Szijjártó was routinely in contact with Lavrov during EU meetings in Brussels, communicating with him during breaks to provide direct reports on discussions. The allegations suggest Moscow had effectively "sat at the table" at EU meetings for several years through these communications.
The Hungarian government has denied the allegations, calling them "fake news," while Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has reportedly ordered an investigation into potential surveillance. The European Commission spokesperson stated that "a relationship of trust between member states and between them and the institutions is fundamental for the work of the EU" and expects the Hungarian government to provide clarifications. The reports emerge amid rising political tensions ahead of Hungary's parliamentary elections and ongoing concerns about Hungary's close ties with Russia despite the war in Ukraine.
a relationship of trust between member states and between them and the institutions is fundamental for the work of the EU