Hungarian FM defends contacts Russian counterpart after audio leak

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has defended his contacts with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following the publication of leaked audio recordings of their conversations, while reiterating his criticism of the European Union’s sanctions policy.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Szijjarto addressed reports that emerged on March 31, when media outlets released recordings of discussions between the two diplomats. The conversations reportedly related to ongoing contacts between Hungary and Russia, including possible exchanges of information concerning EU matters.

Szijjarto said he was aware that his phone calls had been monitored by foreign intelligence services, alleging that Hungarian journalists had assisted in the process. Responding to the leak, he dismissed its significance in a sarcastic tone.

“Today the ‘intelligence officers’ made another ‘important discovery’: they proved that I say the same thing in public as I do on the phone… Excellent work!” he wrote.

The Hungarian foreign minister used the occasion to once again criticise the European Union’s sanctions regime, arguing that it has failed to achieve its objectives and is inflicting greater harm on Europe than on Russia.

He reiterated Budapest’s longstanding position that it will block any sanctions targeting individuals or companies deemed essential to Hungary’s energy security or efforts to achieve peace.

“We have also made it clear countless times that we will never allow sanctions against individuals or companies that are important for Hungary’s energy supply security or for achieving peace, as well as against those for whom there are simply no grounds or justification for being placed on a sanctions list. And we will continue to insist on this,” Szijjarto said.

By Tamilla Hasanova