Szijjarto accused of coordinating with Slovakia to ease EU sanctions

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto allegedly told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that he would work with Slovakia to seek the removal of certain individuals from EU sanctions lists, including a relative of oligarch Alisher Usmanov, according to leaked materials.

The transcripts, reportedly of phone conversations between the two ministers, suggest Szijjarto was asked by Lavrov not to overlook the case. In response, the Hungarian minister is said to have indicated that Hungary and Slovakia would submit a proposal to have Usmanov's sister removed from the sanctions list and would make every effort to secure the outcome.

The materials also indicate that Szijjarto shared information with the Russian side about internal EU discussions, including deliberations among foreign ministers.

In separate conversations with Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin, Szijjarto is reported to have discussed attempts to weaken EU sanctions packages, including measures targeting Russia's so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers. According to the documents, he sought to remove certain Russian entities from proposed measures and asked Moscow to provide arguments to support his position.

The materials were obtained and verified by an international consortium of investigative journalists. European diplomats cited in the reports say they point to coordinated efforts by Hungary and Slovakia to block or dilute sanctions.

The Hungarian government has rejected the allegations, describing them as propaganda.

(VSquare, bak)