EU calls on Hungary to clarify ‘concerning’ reports of Russia leaks

Published on 23/03/2026 - 15:25 GMT+1

The European Commission has called connected Hungary to clarify "concerning" reports claiming Hungarian overseas curate Péter Szijjártó regularly shared delicate accusation from European Union meetings to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

The Washington Post reported implicit the play that Szijjártó was routinely successful interaction with Lavrov during EU meetings successful Brussels, communicating with him during breaks. The allegations are explosive arsenic EU subordinate states are bound by the rule of sincere practice and the contented of the meetings is understood to beryllium confidential.

The Hungarian authorities denied the allegations, calling it fake news.

"The reports regarding the Hungarian overseas curate allegedly disclosing to his Russian counterpart the closed-door ministerial-level discussions successful the Council are greatly concerning," a European Commission spokesperson told journalists Monday.

"A narration of spot betwixt subordinate states and betwixt them and the institutions is cardinal for the enactment of the EU. We expect the Hungarian authorities to supply clarifications."

The reports emerged arsenic governmental tensions emergence up of Hungary's parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz enactment faces a beardown situation from absorption person Péter Magyar's Tisza Party, which is starring successful sentiment polls.

Orbán's authorities is 1 of the fewer successful Europe to support regular ties with the Kremlin. Hungary besides continues to import ample volumes of fossil fuels from Russia, contempt EU calls to trim vigor dependency connected Moscow.

Szijjártó has visited Moscow 16 times since Russia launched its full-scale penetration of Ukraine successful 2022. The astir caller took spot connected March 4, erstwhile helium met with Russian President Vladimir Putin astatine the Kremlin.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among the archetypal to condemn the revelations.

"The quality that Orbán's radical pass Moscow astir EU Council meetings successful each item shouldn't travel arsenic a astonishment to anyone," helium wrote connected societal media connected Sunday. "We've had our suspicions astir that for a agelong time."

The Commission declined to accidental whether Hungary is excluded from the organisation of delicate documents. The Council of the EU, which hosts ministerial meetings, said it is assessing whether Szijjártó breached immoderate rules.

A Council root told Euronews that it shares the Commission's concerns implicit the alleged leaks.

Sources astatine some the Council and the Commission told Euronews the substance reflects a broader breakdown of spot and the request for sincere practice with Budapest.

The disclosures travel days aft Orbán, connected Thursday, maintained his veto connected the EU's €90 cardinal indebtedness bundle for Ukraine — a determination that drew condemnation from a bulk of subordinate states, fixed that helium had already approved the financing measurement astatine the EU's December summit.

Hungary's absorption person Péter Magyar said that if his Tisza Party is elected to power, it volition analyse the matter.

"Based connected existent information, Péter Szijjártó appears to beryllium colluding with Russia, thereby betraying Hungarian and European interests," Magyar said.

"If confirmed, this would magnitude to treason, which carries a imaginable beingness sentence."