NATO not surprised by reports Hungary may have leaked confidential information to Russia

NATO officials have said that reports suggesting Hungary may have passed confidential information to Russia do not come as a surprise.

Source: European Pravda, citing a NATO source in a comment to Euractiv

Details: Euractiv noted that reports claiming Hungary had passed confidential information to the Kremlin about discussions held in closed meetings of the EU Council have raised concerns that Hungary's delegation in NATO could pose a risk to the Alliance's classified military planning.

However, warnings that Hungary's contacts with Russia could pose a security risk were considered "no surprise" by officials at NATO headquarters, where some of Europe's most sensitive information is stored.

"I don't think there was much surprise," a NATO source said.

Meanwhile, another source noted that Hungary treats NATO differently from the EU.

"Hungary has always been a lot more responsible within the NATO context compared to the EU," the source said.

A NATO diplomat acknowledged that certain operational plans related to Ukraine are not discussed in the presence of Hungarian officials, mainly because they concern aspects of military support and training in which Hungary does not participate.

"Hungary has consistently made it clear that they will not do anything that affects their place in NATO's collective defence," the diplomat said.

They added that Hungary is trying to "insulate" its NATO policy from its disputes with Brussels.

Background:

• The Washington Post recently reported that Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has been regularly providing his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov with "live reports on what's been discussed" at EU meetings and information on possible solutions.
• Politico said that the EU is limiting Hungary's access to discussions on confidential material amid concerns about the possible transfer of information to Russia.
• Meanwhile, Hungary's opposition Tisza party promised that, if elected, it would "immediately investigate Péter Szijjártó's links with Russia".

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