Leaked recordings have triggered alarm in Brussels, hinting at deeper political tensions within the EU. Officials now fear the implications could extfinish beyond diplomacy into security risks.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to demand explanations from Budapest and Moscow following the emergence of recordings of conversations between the heads of the foreign ministries of Hungary and Russia. The issue concerns the possible transfer of confidential information to the Russian side.
This was stated during a briefing by the European Commission’s chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho. According to her, the published materials raise serious concerns about the actions of one of the EU member states.
“The revelations in the journalistic investigation highlight a troubling possibility of cooperation between the government of an EU member state [Hungary] and Russia. This means actively working against the security and interests of the EU and all its citizens”
– Paula Pinho
The European Commission emphasized that the Hungarian authorities must provide official explanations as soon as possible. In addition, Ursula von der Leyen plans to raise this issue in discussions with the leadership of Hungary and Russia.
Reaction of the European Parliament
Amid the scandal, a group of Members of the European Parliament appealed to the institution’s president, Roberta Metsola, urging a response to potential threats of information leaks. In their letter, they expressed concern about certain politicians having access to sensitive data.
“Pro-Russian Members of the European Parliament linked to Putin’s regime can still attfinish closed committee meetings and hire staff without proper security or open-source checks. This allows them to collect confidential information, including details of our military and financial support for Ukraine, and pass it on to the Russian side”
– statement by MEPs
The authors of the appeal called for restricting access to classified information for individuals considered openly pro-Russian, as well as strengthening security checks within the European Parliament.
What is known about the recordings
The scandal erupted after the publication of a journalistic investigation ahead of parliamentary elections in Hungary. It revealed recordings of conversations between Péter Szijjártó and Sergey Lavrov.
The materials suggest that between 2023 and 2025, the Hungarian minister maintained regular contact with his Russian counterpart and provided him with information about internal discussions both within the European Union and in Hungary itself.
In particular, during a phone call on August 30, 2024, Szijjártó shared details of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which he had attfinished the day before. In response, Lavrov inquireed for assistance in lifting sanctions on Russian oligarchs.
The situation has already cautilized a stir within European institutions and may have further political consequences for relations within the EU.
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