Leaked and verified phone conversations between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reveal Hungary acting in close coordination with Russia to undermine EU sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs such as Alisher Usmanov and related entities. Hungary, in collusion with Slovakia, submitted proposals to EU bodies to remove key Russian individuals from sanctions lists, exploiting the unanimity requirement for sanction extensions to exert political pressure. Recordings also show Hungary assisting Russia in circumventing energy sanctions via Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet. These activities coincide with Kremlin efforts to maintain pro-Russian political influence inside Hungary, particularly supporting Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party ahead of challenging elections. EU diplomats confirm these covert interventions pose grave risks to EU unity and sanction effectiveness amid Russia's war in Ukraine. Turkish President Erdogan also lobbied Slovakia to support sanction relief for Usmanov's family, evidencing multilayered foreign efforts to weaken EU measures against Russia. This case exemplifies deep Kremlin infiltration into EU policymaking, with Hungary and Slovakia serving as critical enablers of Russian hybrid warfare tactics within Europe.

Leaked and verified phone conversations between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reveal Hungary acting in close coordination with Russia to undermine EU sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs such as Alisher Usmanov and related entities. Hungary, in collusion with Slovakia, submitted proposals to EU bodies to remove key Russian individuals from sanctions lists, exploiting the unanimity requirement for sanction extensions to exert political pressure. Recordings also show Hungary assisting Russia in circumventing energy sanctions via Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet. These activities coincide with Kremlin efforts to maintain pro-Russian political influence inside Hungary, particularly supporting Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party ahead of challenging elections. EU diplomats confirm these covert interventions pose grave risks to EU unity and sanction effectiveness amid Russia's war in Ukraine. Turkish President Erdogan also lobbied Slovakia to support sanction relief for Usmanov's family, evidencing multilayered foreign efforts to weaken EU measures against Russia. This case exemplifies deep Kremlin infiltration into EU policymaking, with Hungary and Slovakia serving as critical enablers of Russian hybrid warfare tactics within Europe.