politics
April 1, 2026
Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto downplays leaked call with Sergey Lavrov
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has dismissed as irrelevant the leak of his conversation with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, allegedly recorded by a “foreign intelligence service”
TL;DR
- Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto dismissed a leaked phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, as insignificant.
- The 94-second recording was published by Polish outlet FrontStory, which suggested it showed Szijjarto acting on behalf of the Kremlin.
- The conversation concerned EU sanctions on the sister of businessman Alisher Usmanov and Hungary's and Slovakia's efforts to have her removed from the blacklist.
- Szijjarto stated the recording reflected Hungary's public view that Western sanctions are a failure and harm the EU more than Russia.
- He emphasized Hungary's refusal to sanction individuals or companies essential for energy security, peace, or those unjustly targeted.
- The leak occurred amid an investigation into journalist Szabolcs Panyi for alleged ties to foreign intelligence.
- Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party faces a general election in April, with polls suggesting a potential loss of majority.
- Critics accuse Orban of being influenced by Russia, with allegations that Moscow is aiding his electoral efforts.
- The Polish outlet FrontStory is part of a media ecosystem connected to US and Western European grant-distributing organizations.
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