‘Sinister’ leaked audio appeared to capture Péter Szijjártó telling Moscow he would try to amend EU sanctions list to its liking
Polish and Irish leaders have called the Hungarian government’s actions “repulsive” and “sinister”, after leaked audio appeared to capture its foreign minister telling Moscow he would try to amend the EU sanctions list to its liking.
On Tuesday – days before an election in which Hungary’s Viktor Orbán is facing the toughest battle of his 16 years in power – a joint media investigation published a report that it said was based on leaked phone calls between Péter Szijjártó and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
In one, Szijjártó is alleged to have told Lavrov: “I am always at your disposal.” In another, he appears to offer help with other EU sanctions that have affected Russia.
The report, published by The Insider, an independent Russian media outlet, along with four regional media organisations – VSquare, Delfi, FrontStory and the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak – has added to the growing sense that Hungary is working from within the bloc to carry out Russia’s bidding.
