EU calls for clarification after Hungary accused of leaking info to Russia

Germany calls the allegations ‘very serious’, as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban orders probe into alleged ‘wiretapping’.The European Commission has called for clarity from Hungary after a United States media outlet reported that the country’s foreign minister passed on information about negotiations with the European Union to Russia.The Washington Post reported on Saturday that Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto had regularly called his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, during breaks in EU meetings to provide “direct reports on what was discussed” and possible next steps.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Ukraine claws back southern territory as Russia’s war enters fifth yearlist 2 of 3Putin says Russia can supply oil, gas to Europe as energy prices soarlist 3 of 3Six killed in attacks on Ukraine as EU extends sanctions against Russiansend of listSzijjarto has rejected the report as “fake news” and “senseless conspiracy theories”.European Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said on Monday that a “relationship of trust between member states, and between them and the institution, is fundamental for the work of the EU.”“We expect the Hungarian government to provide the clarifications,” Hipper added.The allegations come at a tense moment in relations between Budapest and the EU. Many officials in Brussels remain furious that Hungary continued to block a loan of 90 billion euros ($104bn) to Ukraine at an EU leaders’ gathering last week.Germany called the allegations against Hungary “very serious”.“Discussions within the EU, including among EU foreign ministers, are confidential,” a German Foreign Ministry spokesman said.“We will not tolerate any violation of them,” he added.Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a post on X on Sunday that the Washington Post report “shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone”.“That’s one reason why I take the floor only when strictly necessary and say just as much as necessary,” he added.