A political bomb just exploded in Brussels. A Washington Post investigation claims Hungarian foreign minister spent years stepping out of confidential EU meetings to directly phone Russian officials. What is going on here?
Reports regarding Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó allegedly disclosing the closed-door ministerial-level discussion in the European Council to Moscow are "greatly concerning," European Commission’s spokesperson said, and Hungary is "expected to provide the clarifications."
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One security official stated that Moscow has basically been "behind the table" of every EU meeting for years.
The Commission wants answers, but others are not so shocked. Poland's Premier Donald Tusk admitted to long-standing suspicions, revealing that he strictly limits what he says aloud during these talks.
Budapest is not hiding its connections. Szijjártó has visited Moscow 16 times since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Meanwhile, Hungary is actively blocking a €90 billion EU loan for Kyiv.
In an unexpected burst of honesty, Szijjártó admitted to having called Moscow before and after key EU meetings. He claims he also speaks to American, Turkish, and Israeli officials, arguing that it is just diplomacy.
This is the same minister who was awarded Russia's Order of Friendship a year before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But the Americans, Turks, and Israelis have not handed him any similar medal.
Perhaps the only thing left to add is a quote from the comedy movie Naked Gun: “Alright, move on. Nothing to see here, please disperse.”
It is just a pity that it is about the future of European security.
Especially since over 70% of Europeans are now "highly worried" about nearby conflicts, according to the latest Eurobarometer.
So who is laughing now?
Watch the Euronews video in the player above for the full story.