EU ‘deeply involved’ by experiences Hungary leaked negotiation particulars to Russia | EUROtoday

The European Union government mentioned on Monday experiences that the Hungarian overseas minister had handed delicate details about European Union negotiations to Russia had been “greatly concerning”.

On Saturday, the Washington Post newspaper quoted serving or former European safety officers as saying Peter Szijjarto commonly known as his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, throughout breaks in EU conferences to provide “direct reports on what was discussed” and recommend potential programs of motion.

Szijjarto has described the report as “fake news” and “senseless conspiracy theories”.

But Hungary’s minister for European affairs, Janos Boka, mentioned “it is perfectly normal for the Hungarian foreign minister to speak by telephone with his Russian counterpart”.

“What is less understandable is that his EU counterparts don’t do the same,” Boka mentioned on his Facebook web page.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is likely one of the few EU leaders to keep up shut ties with Russia amid the warfare in Ukraine.

The US media outlet’s report has raised hackles in Brussels, the place many officers stay livid that Hungary continued to dam a mortgage of 90 billion euros ($104 billion) to Ukraine at an EU leaders’ gathering final week.

On Monday, the European Commission, the EU’s government arm, demanded readability from Budapest.

“(A) relationship of trust between member states, and between them and the institution, is fundamental for the work of the EU,” spokeswoman Anitta Hipper mentioned.

“We expect the Hungarian government to provide the clarifications.”

Read extraHungary’s Orbán blocks €90 billion mortgage, threatening very important EU help for Ukraine

‘Very severe’ claims

Germany described the allegations as “very serious”.

“Discussions within the EU, including among EU foreign ministers, are confidential,” a German overseas ministry spokesman mentioned.

“We will not tolerate any violation of them,” he added.

Orban has joined Szijjarto in lashing out on the allegations.

“Eavesdropping on a member of government is a serious attack on Hungary,” Orban mentioned on Facebook, including that he had requested the justice minister to analyze.

The Post’s article didn’t say anyplace that Szijjarto had been wiretapped.

Read extraEU leaders fail to sway Hungary’s Orban on €90 billion Ukraine mortgage

Tense EU-Hungary relationship

The allegations come at a tense second in relations between Budapest and the EU.

Orban has ceaselessly examined EU leaders’ nerves, blocking assist to Ukraine and travelling to Moscow to satisfy Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Today, European officers not conceal their exasperation with Orban.

Following Thursday’s summit, most EU leaders condemned Hungary’s persistent block on the mortgage to Ukraine.

Their greatest hope, officers say privately, is the end result of the Hungarian election on April 12.

Orban’s celebration has been trailing in polls since final 12 months.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk mentioned on X that the Washington Post report “shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone”.

“That’s one reason why I take the floor only when strictly necessary and say just as much as necessary,” he added.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)