French FM accuses Hungary of “betrayal” over talks with Russia

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused Hungary of betrayal following reports of a phone conversation between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

The remarks came after the investigative project Vsquare published details of the exchanges between Hungary’s top diplomat and Lavrov, according to French media.

“This is a betrayal of the solidarity required among European Union countries,” Barrot said. He stressed that if the EU wants “to be strong in a world where new empires are emerging, it must remain united and show solidarity.”

“Sometimes disagreements arise between us, including strategic ones. But unity must prevail; otherwise, we will become vassals, playthings of empires — something we reject,” the French minister added.

By Jeyhun Aghazada