«Obsequious reporting»: Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry comments on Szijjártó–Lavrov talks

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commented on media reports suggesting that Szijjártó, a long-time critic of Ukraine, regularly shared information with Moscow about internal EU processes.

The foreign minister made the comments at a press conference, according to a TSN journalist on site.

«Listening to these conversations, which have now become public, for me these are not discussions — this is obsequious reporting to Russian patrons. Disgusting, shameful, and it really should be subject to investigation. In general, the diplomatic profession requires caution in one’s conversations, ” Sybiha emphasized.

Sybiha noted that Ukraine had always taken an unusually diplomatic approach with its Hungarian partners, hinting that Kyiv suspected Budapest of passing information to Moscow.

«What has now become apparent poses a threat, ” he said. „It concerns discussion platforms in the European Union, including closed-door meetings. Ukraine is often invited to brief partners on the actual situation. Therefore, an appropriate response is necessary. In general, debates in the European Union should be feared in Moscow, not the other way around.“

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas added that «all European ministers must work for Europe, not for Russia.»