Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has been regularly informing Russia about EU negotiations during breaks in meetings, as reported by The Washington Post.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has been engaging in regular phone conversations with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to provide updates on ongoing European Union negotiations. According to a source cited by The Washington Post, Szijjártó shared information regarding the discussions among EU member states and informed Lavrov about potential solutions under consideration. This revelation has raised eyebrows among international observers, particularly from Poland, where Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed his suspicions about Szijjártó's actions.
The report indicates that these communications effectively allowed Moscow to have an insight into EU deliberations, suggesting that Russia was almost present at every EU meeting in recent years. Following the extensive Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Szijjártó has reportedly made 16 official trips to Moscow, with his latest visit occurring on March 4, where he met with President Vladimir Putin. This direct engagement contrasts sharply with the apparent distancing of most EU leaders from Russia since the onset of the conflict.
The timing of this report is significant, as it arrives amid the electoral campaign in Hungary where concerns about Szijjártó's actions may influence public sentiment. The situation raises questions about Hungary's foreign policy stance within the EU, as it seems to be fostering closer ties with Russia, thereby straining relationships with fellow EU members and possibly affecting Hungary's standing within the bloc.
