The Digester
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Hungary questioned after foreign minister admits calls to Moscow around EU meetings

The European Commission demands answers after Hungary's foreign minister admitted contacts with Moscow surrounding closed EU meetings, fueling concerns about Russian influence as Budapest repeatedly visits Moscow and blocks large EU aid for Ukraine.

Mar 25th 2026 · Hungary

Insights

  • The European Commission has asked Hungary to provide clarifications after reports that Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó disclosed closed-door European Council discussions to Moscow.
  • Szijjártó said he called Moscow before and after key EU meetings and has visited Moscow 16 times since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
  • Hungary is actively blocking a proposed €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine.
  • Poland's prime minister Donald Tusk said he limits what he says in EU talks and a security official warned that Moscow has long been effectively present at EU meetings.
  • A Eurobarometer survey shows over 70 percent of Europeans are highly worried about nearby conflicts.

Sources