Few European foreign ministers have cultivated as close (and as conspicuously cordial) a relationship with Russia’s top diplomats in recent years as Hungary’s Péter Szijjártó has with Sergei Lavrov. While the public façade suggested a partnership of equals, audio recordings leaked before and after Hungary’s elections have often painted a different picture, one in which Szijjártó appeared to defer to his Russian counterpart. Following earlier disclosures of unusually toned exchanges, a fresh recording has now emerged from the days of the Wagner mutiny.
Wagner coup against Putin
As is well known, exactly three years ago Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia’s Wagner private military company, abruptly launched a march on Moscow in what appeared to be an attempt to settle grievances. On 23 June, his forces seized Rostov and then Voronezh, only to halt some 200 kilometres from the capital. According to reports, he subsequently struck a deal with Vladimir Putin before departing for Belarus. Two months later, on 23 August, his private jet was shot down.
On 23 and 24 June, Russia was gripped by considerable chaos. Reports suggested that both President Putin and his prime minister had left the capital; Moscow’s defences were reinforced, counter-terrorism measures introduced, and military units placed on a war footing.
It was on 24 June that Szijjártó telephoned Lavrov. A transcript of the call was obtained by a consortium of investigative outlets (VSquare, Poland’s FRONTSTORY, Russia’s The Insider, Estonia’s Delfi, and the Ján Kuciak Investigative Centre in Slovakia) as part of the “Kremlin Hotline” project.
“If you ever need anything personally”
The conversation itself was relatively brief. Szijjártó enquired about the situation; Lavrov deflected, insisting that everything was under control, that troops understood their duties, and that the president had already said all that needed to be said about the rebellion. Yet the most striking moment came not in these assurances, but in Szijjártó’s offer: “If you ever need anything personally, just let me know.”
Check out the full conversation on Szabolcs Panyi’s Substack.
What precisely the Hungarian foreign minister, whose government has previously granted refuge to controversial, and in some cases ousted, Balkan and Polish figures, intended by this remark may never be fully clarified. Lavrov, however, appeared to brush it aside, reportedly responding with a hint of amusement and indicating that he required nothing.
Have you read this one? Hungarian FM Anita Orbán says documents were shredded by Szijjártó’s team before handover
Szijjártó’s assymetric relationship with Lavrov
The asymmetry in the Szijjártó–Lavrov relationship had already been suggested by several leaked recordings published ahead of Hungary’s elections, all brought to light by investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi.
Those exchanges pointed to a dynamic in which Szijjártó may have repeatedly taken a subordinate role. The recordings referenced not only the publicly visible alignment between Budapest and Moscow, such as on EU sanctions, but also cooperation in areas including support for Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, the promotion of Russian energy interests, assistance to Russian oligarchs, and other sensitive matters. Any reciprocal benefits on the Russian side, if they existed, have yet to be comprehensively uncovered by either the Hungarian or the international press.
If you missed: Did Minister Szijjártó brief Lavrov during EU talks and offer to forward documents? Leaked recordings here!
Disgusting Russian ass licker.
I wonder why idiot Steiner does not comment on such articles
critical analysis, innovative thinking and unbiased opinion more often manifest and develop better in an open and free environment rather than one stifled by narrow-mindedness, hate, fear, arrogance, ignorance, deflection, projection and false supremacy.
You are defending him like you know him!!!
Amazingly well-emphasized statement you made which means nonsense at the end.
Try again
Clear evidence of document shredding and now this. How long before Peter is charged with treason?
The “lap” dog, of Victor Mihaly. Orban.
A “gofer” – of Victor Mihaly. Orban – who was in ADORATION perceiving Victor Mihaly. Orban as a Demi-god individual.
A “messenger” – that lacked intellectual capabilities to “see the forest through the trees” – used by Victor Mihaly. Orban “bought off” in kind by Orban to perform, for over a decade, the duties a Senior Ministerial appointment as it was still is that of Foreign Minister and of Trade for our country – Hungary.
Peter Szijjarto – did have CHOICE but he chose NOT to “travel the road” in the practice of his life built on and around TRUTH & Honesty.
Peter Szijjarto, in his decision making FAILED us Hungarians in millions that FAILED and HUMILIATED / Disgraced our country – Hungary – through his actions, decision making, his lack of intellectual DISCERNMENT & Conscience – prioritizing firstly, the interests of the people of Hungary – and secondly, in decision making, what was best for our country – Hungary.
Peter Szijjarto – proof grows of his Treasonous conduct – of his be-trayal of us – individually and as a country – Hungary – that firstly, with the BLESSING of his Leader – his Demi-god – Victor Mihaly. Orban – to – “grease his own and that of his Families” palms – escalating him-self, his Family – into NEW territory of wealth and prosperity – of Financial investment SECURITY.
Peter Szijjarto, it was known, for as he “rose” up the Fidesz ladder that saw him eventually be of “inner sanctum” to Victor Mihaly. Orban some say, a “love child” of – that in the say near on the past (15) fifteen years, in the “bosom” – of Victor Mihaly. Orban and the Fidesz – powerbrokers and oligarchy – that it was known – by those of greater “learned” brains and intellect, known from senior schooling years, in the Holy Roman Catholic “conducted” school, by the Benedictines in Gyor, that in the “fold back” – in the “peeling off” of the outer presentation of Szijjarto Peter, underneath the PLASTIC or FALSE “facade” that outer covered – his, the trueness in the being of what type of an individual – it – Szijjato Peter – truly IS.
Szijjarto Peter has DISGRACED his Senior School in Gyor, as he has us individually in millions Hungarians and our country – Hungary through act’s of TREASON – selling us out – Be-traying us.
Szijjarto Peter – his practice – over time of his Political life, that NOW must be CRUSED and he be bought in us seeking Justice through his acts of TREASON – his stealing, taking from us – his practice of the Fabricating of TRUTH he under-took against us.
Szijjarto Peter – can NEVER, never, never be APPEASED and that we “aggressively” through Judicial either independent conducted through the Courts of Hungary or likened, to the “Bench” of the 1945/1946 Nuremberg Trials being a combination of Judges, from “other” county’s – in our pursuit of Szijjarto Peter – in our Seeking of Justice.