Hungarian foreign minister admits calling Russia's Lavrov during key EU meetings

Published connected 24/03/2026 - 8:39 GMT+1•Updated 8:55

Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has acknowledged that helium regularly contacts his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, during backstage EU meetings connected overseas affairs.

Earlier, the Hungarian authorities had dismissed those allegations arsenic fake news.

The Washington Post reported implicit the play that Szijjártó was routinely successful interaction with Lavrov during meetings successful Brussels, communicating with him during breaks.

The allegations are explosive arsenic EU subordinate states are bound by the rule of sincere cooperation, and the contented of specified meetings is understood to beryllium confidential.

On Monday, the European Commission called connected Hungary to clarify the matter, describing the reports arsenic "concerning."

Szijjártó, speaking astatine a run lawsuit successful Keszthely, confirmed the calls connected Monday evening, arguing that EU decisions connected energy, the automotive industry, and information straight impact Hungary's relationships with partners extracurricular the bloc.

"Yes, these issues indispensable beryllium discussed with our partners extracurricular the European Union. I speech not lone to the Russian Foreign Minister, but besides to our American, Turkish, Israeli, Serbian and others earlier and aft European Union Council meetings," Szijjártó said.

"What I accidental whitethorn dependable harsh, but diplomacy is astir talking to the leaders of different countries," helium added.

The revelations travel arsenic governmental tensions equine up of Hungary's parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz enactment faces a stiff situation from absorption person Péter Magyar's Tisza Party, which is presently up 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 unit to trim vigor dependency connected Moscow.

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