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“Betrayal”: Hungary’s government heavily criticised by France for co-operating with Russia
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France has sharply criticised Hungary following leaked reports suggesting close communication between Hungarian and Russian officials on sensitive European Union matters.
Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s foreign minister, described the situation as a “betrayal of solidarity” among EU member states. Speaking on French radio, Barrot warned that such actions risk undermining trust within the bloc at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. He stressed that unity is essential if Europe is to remain strong in a rapidly changing global order.
Leaked recordings raise serious concerns
As Euronews reported, the controversy stems from investigative reports published by an international consortium of journalists, which included alleged recordings of conversations between Péter Szijjártó and Sergey Lavrov. According to these reports, Hungary’s foreign minister may have shared information about EU discussions and even offered assistance on sanctions-related issues.
In one instance, Szijjártó reportedly expressed willingness to help Moscow regarding EU sanctions, while other claims suggest he offered access to EU documents via diplomatic channels. The reports also allege that Hungary has attempted to influence sanctions decisions and slow Ukraine’s EU accession process.
Hungarian government rejects allegations
Szijjártó has strongly denied wrongdoing, arguing that the recordings represent foreign intelligence interference. He claimed that his statements in private conversations were consistent with his public positions and dismissed the revelations as politically motivated. The Hungarian government has also framed the issue as an attempt to influence domestic politics ahead of upcoming elections, calling the publication of the recordings an unprecedented intrusion.
In case you missed it: Half a million tonnes of oil and HIMARS systems – Hungary struck a huge deal with the United States.
EU unity and future implications
The situation has prompted concern in Brussels. A spokesperson for the European Commission described the allegations as “extremely worrying,” suggesting they raise the possibility of a member state cooperating with Russia against EU interests.
Barrot hinted that future EU meetings could be held in alternative formats, potentially sidelining Hungary from certain discussions. He also called on Orbán Viktor to uphold commitments to European solidarity.
If you missed it: Washington Post: Hungary’s Szijjártó offered intelligence cooperation to Iran after pager attacks
Featured image: Szijjártó Péter/Facebook
Blah blah blah Russia blah blah blah Putin blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Russia blah blah blah Putin blah blah blah blah.
Whatever, guys. Nobody cares.
France is right – and you’re happy to dismiss the proof?
It’s now not just our Politicians actions repeatedly align with Russian strategic interests. It is now being laid bare, for all the world to see.
There is ‘proof’, Dear Norbert, that Hungary has a friendship with Russia, that, in recent years has grown to be close.
Yes, absolutely.
That for which neither France nor you have ‘ proof’ for is that Hungary having a close friendship with Russia is tatamount to treason.
Only a few decades ago France had a close relationship with Soviet Russia, and, even as recently as a few years ago Chancellor Schröder headed a Germany that was very friendly with Russia.
And this is coming from the cocaine head of state Macron who had his fill of Ukrainian blow with Jewlensky and Stamer on a recent visit late last year?. Hungary does business with who it wants too.
Main supplier … “Soros!” ?
Seriously – just blurting out /// doesn’t make it true. As opposed to releasing full transcripts and audio. You may want to give it a listen – speaking of blowing. Mr. Szijjártó would be happy to oblige, if asked?
Professionals are reluctant to share their knowledge, especially in cases that could work against them. 🙂
I think he’ll have to wait a very long time for the foreign minister’s answer, because the real question in this context is: when does the statute of limitations expire for this crime?
Irrespective of his personal habits and inclinations, Dear Owen, I do agree with you that President Macron is an illegitimate voice for The West, and, most particularly, France, if for no other reason than he has held onto power by the most questionable means, and, as well, has an approval rating, within France, in the teens.
And, yes, Hungary is a sovereign country that has the right to choose whichever friends it wishes to have.
The notion that Bruxelles could determine who and what Hungary is patently absurd, and, if nothing else, speaks to how megalomaniacal they are.
The dead from 1956 are rolling in their graves. If Fidesz is not removed from office Hungary will become isolated further than any of the Fidesz voting fools imagine. It will be a further downward path for Hungary as once again it ends up on the WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY.
‘The dead from 1956 are rolling in their graves.’
I totally agree, Dear Larry, because if those brave Hungarians could come back to this time and see how many of their countrymen wish to be subject to an alien would-be totalitarian power in Bruxelles, they would be utterly aghast.
This is what the population says about Russia:
The policies of Donald Trump have led to the fact that in leading EU countries, a majority of residents now consider the United States even more of a threat to Europe than communist China, writes Politico.
Although Russia remains the main adversary (it was named as such by 70% of all survey participants), Trump got half of its result: the United States was called a threat by 36% of respondents. China scored 29%.
The poll was conducted in mid-March in six countries-Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, France. Only 12% called the U.S. a close ally. Spaniards gave the most negative assessment: 51% consider the US a threat, 16% – a competitor, 13% – a partner, 17% – a close ally. At the same time, they are almost unanimously in favor of strengthening Europe’s autonomy: 94% said the continent needs to become more self-sufficient and less dependent on other major powers, even if such a transition would entail significant economic costs. Spain was the first country to deny the United States the use of air bases and its airspace for an operation against Iran. A number of other European countries then imposed some form of restriction.
All only blah, blah – they all love Russia. 🙂
Unfortuinately, Dear Karl, my country has long been the greatest source of trouble in the world.
The seed of this is the hold The Rothschild Banking Empire has on us.
Yet, we cannot solely blame the Bankers, for we, many of my own White Southerners, continue to serve their invisible empire with gusto.
Slovak leader Robert Fico has vowed to continue his anti-EU campaign if his close associate, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, loses the election. However, as Bloomberg writes, his country is heavily reliant on EU aid.
The publication’s sources said Fico would be hard-pressed to take on that role.
“Fico’s next move will have implications for how quickly the EU can release more than 90 billion euros ($104 billion) in loans for Ukraine. That financial aid is key to allow Kiev to keep fighting after more than four years of Russian occupation. The Slovak leader backed Orban’s veto to suspend the payments, which angered most member states,” the piece recalled.
The interlocutors say that despite threats last month that the Slovak prime minister could “take over the baton from Hungary,” he is likely to back down if Orban leaves.
“The Slovak leader’s ability to interfere with the EU is very limited because he cannot afford to lose access to funds that finance much of the investment in his small, export-oriented economy,” the sources explained.
The European Commission has called on Hungary to respond to reports of collusion with Russia regarding Ukraine’s EU accession. The reports are “extremely worrying, and it is up to the government of the member state in question to urgently explain itself,” Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho said on Thursday in Brussels.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also raise the matter “at the level of heads of state and government,” she added.
On Wednesday, Vsquare.org (Poland) reported on a phone call between Szijjártó and Lavrov, which allegedly took place during an EU summit in December 2023. According to the report, Lavrov inquired about the negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession. After Szijjártó explained Hungary’s strategy in the conversation, Lavrov’s response was: “Excellent, (…) sometimes well-intentioned, direct blackmail is the best option.”
At the summit, the heads of state and government of 26 of the 27 EU member states decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. Orbán had previously blocked the decision with his veto and ultimately left the room before the vote. Since the decision, Budapest has been blocking the accession process, as well as a new sanctions package against Russia and a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.
The continuing soap opera, Dear Karl, between Budapest and Bruxelles has grown tedious.
Central Europe will, one way or the other, have a marital divorce from Western Europe.
Hungary is just the lynch-pin for that process.
The Kremlin is using a Japanese-Ukrainian cooperation project on interceptor drones as a pretext to trigger a diplomatic crisis.
On Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto, according to its own statement, and protested the investment by the publicly traded Japanese company Terra Drone in the Ukrainian drone manufacturer Amazing Drones.
The companies announced at the end of March their joint development of interceptor drones, which Ukraine intends to use against Shahed drones deployed by Russia. The new product, named “Terra A1,” is said to have a speed of 300 km/h, exceeding the speed of the Russian offensive weapon by approximately 100 km/h. According to the manufacturers, it has a range of 32 kilometers.