Counterintelligence — 2026-03-31

Leaked Recordings Expose Hungarian FM Szijjártó as Kremlin Intelligence Asset Within EU

A consortium of investigative journalists released audio recordings of Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó providing Russian FM Sergey Lavrov with real-time intelligence on confidential EU deliberations, including offering to help remove sanctioned Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov's sister from the EU sanctions list. Szijjártó admitted the recordings were authentic but blamed foreign intelligence services for the intercept, calling it election interference ahead of Hungary's April 12 vote. European leaders have responded with sharp condemnation, with the recordings confirming earlier Washington Post reporting that Szijjártó routinely served as a backchannel for Moscow inside EU institutions.

Analysis
The recordings confirm what the Washington Post previously reported but with audio evidence, transforming this from allegation to documented counterintelligence failure within NATO. With Hungary's April 12 elections approaching, the timing suggests an allied intelligence service authorized the release as an influence operation against Orban's government. The practical damage extends beyond one FM: any classified EU deliberation shared while Szijjártó was present must now be assumed compromised by Moscow.

1 sources

Hungarys Szijjártó worked for Russia on Lavrovs instructions – leaked recordings emerge - European Pravda