Szijjártó Admits Secret Calls to Lavrov, Declares EU Sanctions a Failure.

Péter Szijjártó's Remarks on EU Sanctions Policy

According to TSN.ua: Hungary's Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, has openly addressed the leaked details of his conversations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He sharply criticizes the European Union's sanctions regime against Russia, labeling it as completely ineffective. Szijjártó also pointed out that foreign intelligence agencies are collaborating with Hungarian journalists, stressing the crucial role of international cooperation in diplomacy.

Recently, Budapest pushed for the removal of EU sanctions on Gulbahor Ismailova, the sister of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov. This has drawn significant attention to Hungary's role in the bloc's sanctions framework. According to The Washington Post, Szijjártó secretly phoned the Kremlin during EU meetings, sparking outrage in certain political circles. During closed-door EU sessions, Szijjártó confessed to having made these calls to Lavrov.

Consequences of Hungary's Actions

Analysts warn that such behavior could have serious repercussions for Hungary's foreign policy. Péter Szijjártó stated:

“The sanctions policy has failed.”

“Engaging with international partners is an essential part of diplomacy.”

Against this backdrop, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico may also become involved in discussions on sanctions. This highlights the growing friction within the European Union over how to handle Russia and the broader sanctions policy. International observers are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds.

Hungary's actions under Szijjártó's leadership reflect a heightened drive to revise EU sanctions policy, which could deepen divisions among member states. Slovakia's potential involvement in these talks suggests the possible formation of new alliances within the EU that seek to alter approaches toward Russia, potentially yielding long-term consequences for the Union's overall foreign policy. At the same time, Hungary's stance may alarm other member countries that advocate for a tougher line against Moscow.