Hungarian Foreign Minister's Statement on Leaked Recordings
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has issued a response following the publication of recorded phone conversations with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. He accused foreign intelligence services, with the involvement of Hungarian journalists, of being behind the wiretapping. Szijjártó stated that the content of the released conversations is consistent with his publicly stated position on sanctions against Russia.
The minister argued that European Union sanctions cause more harm to the EU itself than to Russia, and that Hungary will not support sanctions against individuals crucial for its energy security. Szijjártó also emphasized that the published recordings are incomplete. This incident highlights Hungary's continued diplomatic balancing act within the EU framework.
'Today, the listeners made another great discovery: they proved that I say the same thing publicly as I do on the phone... Excellent work!' – Péter Szijjártó
Allegations of Cash and Valuables Transport
In a related development, Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi suggested that Hungarian government and private aircraft used by officials may have been involved in transporting cash and valuables from Russia. According to Panyi, similar intelligence began appearing in the security services of EU and NATO countries as far back as 2016-2017.
'We will continue to insist on this,' – Péter Szijjártó
This situation underscores the ongoing tension between Hungary and the rest of the European Union, particularly regarding the policy of sanctions against Russia. Szijjártó's remarks indicate his government's intent to maintain close ties with Moscow despite broader European policy. The allegations against journalists and intelligence services point to Budapest's sensitivity over the transparency of its international dealings.
This latest incident is not isolated; it connects to broader concerns about Hungary's stance on sanctions against Russia. Previous reports have revealed efforts to influence the delisting of Russian oligarchs' relatives from sanctions lists, raising questions about the government's priorities. For further insights into these lobbying activities, you can read more about Hungary's sanctions lobbying efforts.