Hungary and Slovakia Confirmed as Secret Kremlin Backchannels in the EU
Leaked phone calls between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov reveal Budapest’s role as a Kremlin informant within the EU. Transcripts show Szijjártó providing real-time intelligence on confidential EU deliberations and actively lobbying for the removal of Russian oligarchs from sanctions lists. This coordinated effort, alongside Slovakia, has led to accusations of political blackmail and a breakdown of trust with Western allies. The investigation further suggests the Kremlin is covertly assisting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s election campaign.