Hungarian Foreign Minister Leaked Plans to Remove Russian Oligarchs From EU Sanctions
Key Takeaways
- Leaked audio shows Szijjártó discussed lifting EU sanctions on Russian oligarchs with Lavrov.
- Hungary sought Slovak backing to remove sanctions from those oligarchs.
- Leaked talks triggered international condemnation and claims of foreign interference.
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.
“According to the investigative media Vsquare, which had access to telephone conversations between the two officials, Lavrov called Szijjártó on August 30, 2024, shortly after the Hungarian minister's return to Budapest from Saint Petersburg”
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.
“Péter Szijjártó, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs, is accused of leaking sensitive details from the European Union's decision-making processes”
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.
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