Former Polish intelligence chief calls Orbán and Szijjártó “Russian agents”

Right before Hungarians head to the polls, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó have been hit by one of the most incendiary accusations yet in the long-running debate over Budapest’s relationship with Russia.

Former intelligence chief: Orbán and Szijjártó “Russian agents”

In an interview with Polish outlet Onet, former head of Poland’s Intelligence Agency Andrzej Derlatka said “things must be called by their name”, alleging that both Orbán and Szijjártó had acted as “Russian agents”. The remarks were later highlighted by Telex.

Derlatka, who also previously served as Poland’s ambassador to South Korea and worked at NATO headquarters, said he was “horrified” by what he had been observing in Hungary. According to him, the greatest concern lies in repeated reports suggesting that sensitive European Union and NATO information may have been shared with Moscow. He argued that such allegations, if true, would represent not merely political alignment but a deeply troubling security issue for Hungary’s allies.

NATO and EU security concerns back in the spotlight

Over the past weeks, multiple leaks and media investigations have suggested that Szijjártó held regular phone consultations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, including during breaks in sensitive EU meetings. One report alleged that the Hungarian foreign minister even offered to forward internal EU documents to Moscow.

These concerns are no longer confined to the press. According to recent reports cited by Telex, EU officials have increasingly sought to keep Hungary away from the most sensitive negotiations, worried that confidential discussions could be leaked to Russia.

Derlatka said his own experience inside NATO made the allegations especially alarming. He recalled the strict security protocols in place at alliance meetings, where mobile phones were confiscated, and rooms were routinely swept for listening devices. Against that backdrop, he suggested that the idea of sensitive information being passed from within the alliance to Moscow was extremely disturbing.

Questions raised over Szijjártó’s repeated Minsk visits

One of the most striking parts of Derlatka’s comments concerned Szijjártó’s repeated trips to Minsk.

The Polish former spy chief said he could see no obvious economic, political, military or cultural reason for the Hungarian foreign minister to have visited Belarus on five separate occasions. He openly questioned whom Szijjártó may have been meeting and why those visits were necessary at all.

His remarks echo earlier scrutiny surrounding Budapest’s unusually active diplomatic channels with both Belarus and Russia, especially at times when most EU governments were isolating Minsk over its support for the Kremlin and its role in the war in Ukraine.

Another blow before election day

The timing of Derlatka’s statement could hardly be more politically sensitive.

Hungary’s parliamentary election takes place today, and Orbán’s Fidesz government is already facing heavy pressure from recent leaks involving Moscow, reports of Russian intelligence interest in the campaign, and growing criticism from European partners.

While the Hungarian government has consistently dismissed the latest leaks as foreign intelligence interference and politically motivated election meddling, the fresh accusations from such a senior former Polish intelligence official are likely to fuel opposition attacks in the campaign’s final hours.

Read Daily News Hungary’s election reports here!