Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjárt enough recorded offering to share sensitive European Union documents regarding Ukraine's accession process with his Russian counterpart, according to leaked audio released Wednesday.
The recordings, published by a consortium of investigative outlets including VSquare.org, suggest a high level of coordination between Budapest and Moscow. In one conversation, Szijjártó tells Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, "I will send it to you. It's not a problem," after Lavrov asks for a document concerning the role of minority languages in Ukraine's EU talks.
While Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the clips, the leaks arrive during a pivotal moment for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The nationalist leader faces a general election this Sunday, the most significant challenge to his 16-year tenure.
Close ties to Moscow
The audio clips feature a friendly tone between the two diplomats. At the end of a discussion regarding an economic commission in Budapest, Lavrov addressed Szijjártó as "my friend."
Szijjártó responded, "Whenever you need anything I'm at your disposal." Other leaked communications detail preparations for Orbán's 2024 trip to Moscow and efforts to block EU sanctions against Russia in 2025.
In a third clip, Szijjártó asks Lavrov for specific details regarding a 2025 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Szijjártó has maintained frequent contact with the Kremlin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He met with Putin in March to discuss energy supplies.
Orbán maintains that his policies aim to protect Hungarian interests and prevent the country from entering the conflict. A Hungarian government spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the Kremlin has not issued a statement.
