European Security — 2026-04-08
New Leaks Reveal Hungarian FM Szijjártó Briefed Russia on EU Summit Discussions
New leaked recordings show Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó provided direct reports to Russian FM Lavrov about EU Foreign Affairs Council discussions and possible next steps. The latest leaks expand on earlier revelations that Szijjártó discussed EU sanctions removal with Lavrov, including helping remove an Usmanov family member from sanctions lists. The scandal has intensified ahead of Hungary's April 12 parliamentary elections, with the European Commission expressing "great concern" and demanding clarification from Budapest.
The leak drops four days before Hungary's April 12 parliamentary elections, maximizing electoral impact. The EU's exposure risk is concrete: if Szijjártó briefed Lavrov during Foreign Affairs Council breaks, Moscow had near-real-time insight into EU sanctions deliberations, potentially allowing counter-positioning. Budapest's "foreign intelligence operation" defense frame suggests Orbán will use the leak to mobilize base voters around sovereignty themes rather than address the substance.
Sources: Euronews