Kremlin Hotline: Hungary colluded with Russia to delist sanctioned oligarchs, companies and banks

Between 2023 and 2026, multiple leaked phone calls reveal Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó acting on Kremlin requests, including helping to remove Gulbahor Ismailova, sister of sanctioned oligarch Alisher Usmanov, from EU sanctions. Szijjártó coordinated with Slovakia to veto or delay EU sanctions extensions, particularly targeting Russian individuals and entities linked to Moscow's shadow oil fleet used to circumvent western sanctions. Recordings disclose Szijjártó’s readiness to share EU negotiation details with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin, seeking Russian arguments to bolster Hungary’s positions. EU diplomats describe Szijjártó’s role as an intelligence asset undermining EU interests, with covert Kremlin involvement to support Viktor Orbán's political position. Evidence also shows Turkey lobbying alongside Hungary and Slovakia for Usmanov’s delisting. Hungary officially denies these allegations calling them pro-Ukrainian propaganda, but public protests accuse Szijjártó of treason and espionage. This collusion material demonstrates a sustained political manipulation campaign eroding EU sanctions unity and aiding Russia's hybrid warfare efforts against Ukraine and the EU.