A leaked audio recording purporting to document a conversation between the foreign ministers of Hungary and Russia has stoked political tensions days before key elections in the country, Reuters reported.
The recording, published by investigative website Vsquare, allegedly captures a phone call from August 2024 between Péter Szijjártó and Sergei Lavrov. In it, the Russian diplomat recalls a promise to help remove the sister of a Russian businessman from the EU sanctions list, and Szijjártó responds that Hungary and Slovakia will offer to do so.
The authenticity of the recording could not be independently confirmed, Reuters notes. Szijjarto himself did not deny that the conversation took place, but said that the tapping of his phones was a "huge scandal" and accused foreign intelligence services of making the recordings public on the eve of the election.
The case comes a week after Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered an investigation into the alleged wiretapping of the foreign minister amid media reports about Budapest's ties with Moscow.
Additional tension is being created by Vsquare's claims of a second conversation in which Szijjarto discussed with the Russian deputy energy minister the possibility of lifting sanctions against the so-called "shadow fleet" of Russian oil tankers. This information has also not been independently confirmed.
The case has heightened concerns within the European Union that Hungary is acting in favor of Russia and undermining the bloc's efforts to support Ukraine. Orban, for his part, defends his policy by arguing that it aims to keep the country out of the conflict and protect national interests.
The scandal erupted on the eve of the April 12 parliamentary elections, which are shaping up to be Orban's toughest test in years. According to independent polls, the opposition party "Tisa" is leading by a significant margin.
The Russian government has not commented on the case, and the Slovak Foreign Ministry has declined to provide details, citing diplomatic practice.
Hungary maintains close relations with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine and remains heavily dependent on Russian energy supplies. Foreign Minister Szijjártó regularly visits Russia, and in early March he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss energy supplies.