Europe31 March, 20261 min read
Hungarian Foreign Minister Leaked Plans to Remove Russian Oligarchs From EU Sanctions
Leaked audio shows Szijjártó discussed lifting EU sanctions on Russian oligarchs with Lavrov. Hungary sought Slovak backing to remove sanctions from those oligarchs.
Leaked Calls Expose Secret
A leaked phone call captured Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó telling Lavrov he would work to remove Usmanov's sister from the EU sanctions list. The revelation came days before Hungary's parliamentary election. Szijjártó dismissed the leak as a huge scandal and accused foreign intelligence services of tapping his calls.
Orchestration of Oligarch Delisting
Szijjártó told Russia's deputy energy minister he was working to repeal EU sanctions targeting oil tankers. A coordinated Russo-Hungarian effort to roll back EU sanctions was uncovered. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the recordings disheartening.
Kremlin Agent Within the EU?
The Insider summarized that Szijjártó was operating as a direct agent of the Kremlin within the EU. The EU Commission expressed concern and demanded Hungary clarify. Orban has repeatedly held up EU sanctions and blocked aid to Ukraine.
Domestic and Regional Backlash
Polish and Irish leaders called the Hungarian government's actions repulsive and sinister.
The opposition in Hungary framed the revelations as a betrayal of national sovereignty.
