Hungary's Foreign Minister Caught in Controversial Sanctions Discussions with Russia

A leaked audio recording has surfaced, allegedly capturing a conversation between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The call, reportedly from August 30, 2024, discusses efforts to remove Gulbahor Ismailova, the sister of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, from the European Union's sanctions list. Szijjártó is heard promising to submit a proposal to the EU in collaboration with Slovakia to facilitate her delisting, stating, "We will do our best in order to get her off." This revelation comes just weeks before Hungary's parliamentary elections on April 12, 2026, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces significant opposition.

Euronews‘I Am Always at Your Disposal’ – Hungary's Szijjártó Heard Promising Russia’s Lavrov to Delist Sanctioned OligarchsThe Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)

Hungary has maintained a pro-Moscow stance under Orban, fostering close ties with Russia despite the EU's sanctions regime following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Szijjártó has frequently traveled to Moscow and has been accused of sharing sensitive information with Russian officials during EU meetings. The leaked conversation has intensified scrutiny of Hungary's foreign policy, particularly its alignment with Russian interests within the EU framework.

The Straits TimesBloomberg

Following the leak, Szijjártó acknowledged the interception of his calls but dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, claiming that his discussions were consistent with public statements. He stated, "It has been known for some time that foreign secret services... have been intercepting my phone conversations." The Slovak Foreign Ministry refrained from commenting on the specifics of the negotiations, while Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico defended Hungary, emphasizing that removing someone from the sanctions list requires unanimous consent from all 27 EU member states.

Bloomberg

The leaked audio has drawn sharp criticism from leaders in the Czech Republic and Poland. Czech President Petr Pavel expressed the need to reassess relations with Hungary, labeling Szijjártó as "completely untrustworthy." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk remarked that EU ministers should prioritize European interests over Russian affiliations. EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, echoed these sentiments, stating that ministers should work for Europe, not Russia.

BloombergThe Straits TimesEuronews

While the authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified, various investigative outlets, including VSquare and The Insider, have reported on the content of the calls. The European Commission has expressed concern over Szijjártó's conduct during EU meetings, indicating that further clarification from Budapest is necessary.

‘I Am Always at Your Disposal’ – Hungary's Szijjártó Heard Promising Russia’s Lavrov to Delist Sanctioned Oligarchs

As Hungary approaches its elections, the fallout from the leaked audio could significantly impact Orban's campaign, which has centered on maintaining Hungary's energy security and opposing military support for Ukraine. The opposition has seized upon the controversy to challenge Orban's administration, which has been criticized for its close ties to Moscow. The outcome of the elections may determine the future direction of Hungary's foreign policy and its relationship with both the EU and Russia.

Bloomberg