France accuses Hungary over Russia contacts

France’s foreign minister has accused Hungary of undermining European unity after reports of contacts between Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Jean-Noel Barrot said the discussions amounted to a betrayal of solidarity within the European Union, particularly at a time when Member States are seeking to maintain a united stance in support of Ukraine.

According to Barrot, a series of leaked conversations suggest that the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, along with Szijjarto, may have acted in ways aligned with Russian interests and contrary to EU efforts.

‘This is a betrayal of the basic solidarity that is necessary between the countries of the European Union if we want to be strong,’ Barrot said in an interview with France Inter radio.

(reuters, bak)