The European Union is reeling from the Hungary Russia Scandal following allegations that Budapest acted as a Russian “Trojan horse” within the bloc. Senior Hungarian officials are suspected of working directly for Moscow and systematically leaking secrets from closed EU meetings.
Leaking Secrets: The Hungary Russia Scandal
A report by The Washington Post triggered the crisis. According to the newspaper, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó regularly acted as an informant (possibly), providing his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov with “live updates” directly from closed meetings of EU foreign ministers. The leaks reportedly included the contents of private discussions and confidential information regarding upcoming decisions in Brussels. Effectively, Moscow had eyes and ears behind the closed doors of high-level European institutions.
Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party, responded sharply to the report, according to Telex.
“The fact that the Hungarian Foreign Minister, a close friend of Sergey Lavrov, reports to the Russians almost every minute about every EU meeting is pure treason. This man has betrayed not only his country but also Europe,” Magyar told supporters.
European Commission Demands Answers from Szijjártó
On March 23, European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper issued an official statement regarding the allegations.
“Reports that the Hungarian Foreign Minister allegedly disclosed the content of closed-door ministerial discussions in the Council to his Russian counterpart are deeply concerning. We expect the Hungarian government to provide clarifications,” Hipper stated.
The spokesperson emphasized that the foundation of the European Union’s work is “relationships of trust,” which now appear compromised. The European Commission is currently refraining from specific threats, noting that it must receive an official response from Budapest before planning further measures.
Staged Assassinations and Election Interference
The information leaks are part of a broader set of allegations regarding cooperation between Budapest and Russian intelligence services:
- Staging for Orbán: According to European intelligence reports, amid falling political ratings for the ruling Fidesz party, Russian intelligence suggested Budapest stage a fake assassination attempt on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The Washington Post reports the goal was to unite the nation around the leader and secure mass public support.
- Slovak Connection: On March 23, Hungarian opposition journalist Szabolcs Panyi published a transcript of a 2020 conversation between Szijjártó and Lavrov. In it, the Hungarian Foreign Minister reportedly asks the Russian minister to help ensure the victory of specific candidates in neighboring Slovakia’s parliamentary elections.
Information Quarantine for Hungary
While diplomats exchange official notes, European officials have begun taking practical steps. Media reports indicate that Brussels has started systematically excluding Hungary from sensitive negotiations and discussions on security. The country is effectively being placed in an “information quarantine” due to the high risk of data being immediately leaked to Russia.
