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Russia might have been in EU discussions: Hungarian opposition leader accuses FM of ‘treason’
Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, has sharply criticised Hungary’s foreign minister following claims reported by The Washington Post that sensitive EU discussions may have been shared with Russia.
Speaking during a campaign stop in Nyúl on Saturday, Magyar described the alleged actions of Péter Szijjártó as “outright treason”, claiming that the minister had effectively allowed Moscow insight into high-level European Union negotiations.
According to the report cited by the opposition politician, Szijjártó maintained regular contact with Sergey Lavrov during breaks in EU meetings. Magyar argued that such communication would mean that “Vladimir Putin was practically sitting at the negotiating table”.
Background:
Government rejects claims as propaganda
Hungary’s government has firmly denied the allegations. The Government Information Centre dismissed the report as “false, pro-Ukrainian propaganda,” while Szijjártó himself accused critics of spreading conspiracy theories.
The minister also pushed back against opposition narratives, suggesting that pro-government critics were facing coordinated attacks from “foreign-backed actors”.
Alleged intelligence report
The Washington Post article also referenced a purported internal document linked to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the SVR. According to the report, the document discussed concerns over declining support for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The report allegedly included extreme and unverified proposals, including the staging of an attack against Orbán as part of a strategy dubbed “Game-changer”. Magyar stated that such claims did not surprise him, adding that his camp had anticipated similar scenarios ahead of the elections.
Political rhetoric intensifies over foreign policy and corruption
In his speech, Magyar also referenced the relocation of Orbán’s daughter, Ráhel Orbán, and her husband, István Tiborcz, to the United States, drawing a contrast between East and West.
He further reiterated promises to investigate alleged financial scandals, including the long-running controversy surrounding Hungary’s central bank, vowing accountability if his party wins power.
Controversy over documentary film screenings
In a separate development, 444.hu reported unusual circumstances surrounding screenings of a documentary about Magyar’s political rise.
According to reports, a government-linked organisation, the Digital Democracy Development Agency (DDÜ), allegedly purchased 145 cinema tickets (worth around HUF 600,000/EUR 1,500) for a screening of the film Tavaszi szél – az ébredés (“Spring breeze – the awakening”) at a Cinema City venue in Budapest. Despite the tickets being sold, the seats reportedly remained empty.
The cinema chain confirmed the purchase and noted that the tickets were neither used nor refunded, though it did not disclose the buyer’s identity due to data protection rules.
Claims of coordinated narrative-building
The case is not isolated. Distributors of the documentary have previously reported screenings that appeared sold out on paper but were sparsely attended in reality.
At the same time, pro-government influencers associated with the Megafon network shared images of empty cinemas on social media.
Despite the controversy, the documentary (directed by Tamás Yvan Topolánszky and produced by Claudia Sümeghy) reportedly sold over 50,000 tickets in its first week, making it one of the strongest openings for a Hungarian documentary in recent years, 24.hu reported.
Orban and Szijjarto literally are Russian agents. What shame they bring to Hungary and the memory of all those who died at the hands of the Russian barbarians in 1956 and in the executions and the torture cells at Andrassy ut. They have sold Hungary to Putin in return for payoffs. Get rid of the traitors!