Hungarian parliament / Envato Market

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief reporting from Budapest, Hungary

BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ties between the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Moscow appear to be closer than previously thought after leaked recordings suggested direct coordination over European Union sanctions against Russia.

Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó held telephone consultations with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, including reported discussions about removing individuals from EU sanctions lists, according to audio released by investigative journalism platform VSquare.

“I actually called at the request of Alisher,” Szijjártó is heard saying in the recording, referring to Uzbek-Russian tycoon Alisher Usmanov. The tone between the ministers appeared highly cordial, with Lavrov asking Szijjártó to act regarding the businessman’s sister.

Szijjártó, who had just returned from a visit to the Russian city of St. Petersburg, responded: “Yes, absolutely. Together with the Slovaks, we will submit a proposal to the European Union next week to have her removed from the sanctions list.” Seven months later, the woman was removed from the EU sanctions list.

The recording, which reportedly captures an August 2024 call, surfaced Tuesday, shortly before Hungary’s closely watched April 12 election that could determine whether the country maintains its pro-Moscow course.

LEAKED CALLS AND EU SANCTIONS

The leaked audio forms part of a broader investigation by a cross-border collective of journalists, including Hungarian reporter Szabolcs Panyi, suggesting that Szijjártó and Lavrov maintained intensive contact between 2023 and 2025.

The findings indicate that discussions between the two ministers often coincided with key EU decisions on sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

In one instance, Szijjártó reportedly promised Russia’s deputy energy minister Pavel Sorokin to oppose measures targeting Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” — a network of often aging, poorly regulated tankers used to transport Russian oil while circumventing Western sanctions.

Earlier reports by The Washington Post newspaper and others suggested that Szijjártó may have shared sensitive information from EU meetings with Russian officials.

He initially dismissed those claims as “fake news,” but later described such contacts as “normal diplomatic practice.”

TENSIONS COME AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

Szijjártó also acknowledged that his conversations with Lavrov had been intercepted, calling the wiretapping a “huge scandal” in a social media video. The Hungarian government has launched an investigation into the alleged surveillance and accused critics of foreign interference.

The revelations come amid mounting political tensions ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary election, where Orbán faces one of his toughest challenges since returning to power 16 years ago.

Most independent polls suggest the center-right opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, holds a significant lead over Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party.

Authorities have also launched a criminal investigation into journalist Panyi over allegations he acted as a “spy for Kyiv,” claims he has strongly denied.

The accusations followed his reporting that Hungarian and Russian officials may have coordinated efforts to influence Slovak politics in favor of pro-Russian leader Robert Fico.

SLOVAKIA’S ROLE AND SANCTIONS

Prime Minister Robert Fico has played down his contacts with Moscow, saying that removing individuals from an EU sanctions list requires the agreement of all 27 member states.

Slovak officials declined to comment on specific negotiations.

Separate reports have also raised concerns about alleged Russian influence operations in Hungary.

Panyi reported earlier that suspected Russian operatives linked to the GRU military intelligence agency were active in Budapest, while the Financial Times newspaper described a Kremlin-linked disinformation campaign aimed at shaping Hungarian public opinion ahead of the vote.

Critics say these developments highlight growing pressure on independent media, while government supporters argue Hungary is “defending its national interests.”

EU REACTION AND ENERGY POLICY CONFLICT

The episode has raised alarm among European officials, who fear Hungary may be “undermining” EU unity on Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022, impacting much of Europe.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ministers should serve Europe, not Moscow, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote that Hungary’s leadership had effectively “distanced itself from European values.”

Tensions have also deepened over energy and financial policy. Hungary has opposed key EU measures, including a proposed 90 billion euro (about $97 billion) support package for Ukraine, while accusing Kyiv of effectively blocking Russian oil deliveries through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline.

Additionally, Budapest signaled efforts to reduce or redirect natural gas flows to Ukraine in response to the standoff.

Orbán has defended his approach, saying his government seeks to keep Hungary out of the war in Ukraine while safeguarding national interests. Hungary remains heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas, and Orbán has maintained ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

HUNGARY RUSSIA RELATIONS UNDER SCRUTINY

Analysts say the controversy underscores longstanding concerns that Hungary is pursuing a distinct foreign policy line within the 27-nation EU, closely aligned with Moscow.

While the full extent of the alleged coordination remains disputed, the timing of the leaks—less than two weeks before the vote—has ensured that Hungary’s ties with Russia will remain a central issue in the final days of the campaign.

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