Péter Szijjártó and Sergei Lavrov. Stock photo: Getty Images
Politico: EU excludes Hungary from sensitive discussions over risk of information leaks to Russia
Politico reports that the EU is restricting Hungary’s access to confidential discussions amid fears that information could be passed to Russia.
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The European Union is limiting Hungary's access to discussions on "confidential material" amid concerns about the possible transfer of information to Russia.
Source: Politico, a Brussels-based politics and policy news organisation, citing sources
Details: Five European diplomats and officials said they are "concerned about the risk of Budapest leaking sensitive information to the Kremlin".
However, there will be no official EU response to the new series of allegations due to the potential impact on Hungary's elections on 12 April.
Meanwhile, concerns about Hungary passing information directly to Moscow have contributed to the growing popularity of smaller, like-minded group meetings within the EU, rather than meetings involving all 27 member states.
Quote from an anonymous official, cited by Politico: "Overall the less-than-loyal member states are the main reason why most of relevant European diplomacy is now happening in different smaller formats – E3, E4, E7, E8, Weimar, NB8, JEF, etc."
Details: The figures refer to the number of European leaders in each group. The Weimar Triangle includes representatives from France, Germany and Poland. NB8 refers to the eight Nordic and Baltic countries. JEF represents 10 Northern European countries.
Former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, who had often attended meetings of the Council where Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó had been present, told Politico that he had been warned back in 2024 that the Hungarian side might pass information to Russia and that he and his counterparts should limit information sharing.
Landsbergis said that even on the eve of an important NATO summit in Vilnius in 2023, envoys had decided to exclude the Budapest delegation from discussions on sensitive issues.
Five diplomats told Politico that the news did not surprise them, but any official response would depend on whether Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is re-elected in April. Despite trailing the Tisza party in polls, Orbán said on Friday that he will "certainly" secure another term.
Quote from another diplomat: "It undermines trust, cooperation and the integrity of the European Union.
It's a deplorable situation. If he stays after [the] election, I think the EU need to find ways to deal with this in another manner."
Details: Another diplomat warned that any actions by the EU and its leaders could be used by Orbán to his advantage during the election campaign.
Quote from Politico: "Despite widespread agreement on the threat posed by Russia, a fourth diplomat pointed out that the content of discussions among leaders and foreign ministers are routinely reported in the press and frequently take place in an unrestricted format, meaning leaders don't leave their phones outside to minimise the risk of surveillance. But the optics of an EU government working so closely with a hostile state remains politically explosive."
Details: One of the diplomats said that more information may be kept confidential in light of the new allegations. "There is an argument to be made for classification of info and documents on the EU side," the diplomat said. Although the use of classified markings "isn't a silver bullet", it could "serve as a deterrent against leaks and the passing of sensitive info to third parties. It would also make investigations more automatic".
Background:
The Washington Post recently reported that Szijjártó has been regularly providing his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov with "live reports on what's been discussed" at EU meetings and information on possible solutions.
The WP has also reported, citing European intelligence, that Russian secret services have proposed staging an assassination attempt on Orbán in an effort to drum up greater public support as the ruling Fidesz party's ratings continue to fall.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on media reports that Szijjártó had been regularly calling Lavrov during breaks between EU Council meetings to brief him on the progress of discussions.
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