Secret Phone Calls Published
Recordings of phone conversations between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, spanning from 2023 to 2025, have been made public. These recordings provide evidence that Hungary coordinated with Russia to obstruct European Union and NATO decisions concerning Ukraine. The leaks also contain details of a secret arrangement for a visit to Moscow by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This revelation comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over Hungary's position within Western alliances.
European Council Meetings and Orbán's Visits
On December 14, 2023, the European Council met in Brussels to discuss opening accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova. During this period, Viktor Orbán threatened to veto any decisions related to Ukraine, a move that underscored his intent to shape European policy in line with his relationship with Russia.
On July 2, 2024, Orbán visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, in an apparent effort to maintain bilateral ties despite the tense situation. However, just three days later, on July 5, 2024, he traveled to Moscow—a visit that alarmed allies. According to the leaked conversations, this trip was part of the covert agreements discussed with Lavrov.
On June 22, 2025, Péter Szijjártó returned from the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he met with Russian deputy prime ministers. This meeting appears to be another element of coordination between Hungary and Russia regarding sanctions and energy policy. In the conversations, Lavrov is quoted as stating that sometimes
“direct blackmail is the best option,”revealing Russia's strategic approach to its international relations.
Against this backdrop, a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump took place in Alaska on August 16, 2025, signaling potential shifts in the geopolitical landscape in which Hungary is also implicated. In the phone calls, Szijjártó told Lavrov,
“I am always at your disposal,”indicating close contacts and a readiness to collaborate, particularly when European political decisions concerning Ukraine were at stake.
The published phone call recordings thus expose new dimensions of the relationship between Hungary and Russia and point to potential risks for European policy in supporting Ukraine. Hungary's actions have long been a point of contention within the EU, balancing its membership with an independent foreign policy.
These leaks could significantly influence how Western nations reassess their strategic relations with Hungary, especially regarding its role in supporting or blocking European initiatives on Ukraine. Given the importance of these decisions for regional security, the subsequent response from the EU and NATO will not only define Hungary's relationship with Russia but also the broader political dynamics across Europe.
These recent revelations align with earlier reports detailing Hungary's ongoing efforts to obstruct aid for Ukraine within the EU framework. For a deeper understanding of how these secretive discussions with Lavrov have influenced Hungary's stance on Ukraine, explore our article on the EU blockade of Ukraine aid.