• Hungarian PM Viktor Orban ordered an investigation into wiretapping allegations involving Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
• The EU requests clarification after reports suggest Szijjarto leaked EU negotiation details to Russia.
• The situation could affect Hungary's crucial upcoming elections, where Orban faces stiff opposition.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has initiated a probe into allegations that Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto was wiretapped, coinciding with accusations of leaking sensitive information regarding EU negotiations to Russia. Orban, who is preparing for his most challenging re-election campaign on April 12, stated that "there is evidence that Hungary's Foreign Minister was wiretapped" and called for immediate investigation into the matter, as reported by Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Reports from the Washington Post claim that Szijjarto made regular phone calls to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during EU meetings to provide "direct reports" on discussions. Szijjarto has rebuffed these allegations as "fake news," but they have drawn significant concern from the EU, which emphasized that trust among member states is vital for their cooperation, noted an EU Commission spokesperson Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

The situation has exacerbated tensions between Hungary and EU officials, particularly after Hungary's recent blockage of a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, which further strained Budapest's relations with the EU. Germany described the allegations as "very serious" and stressed the importance of confidentiality in EU discussions, highlighting the sensitivity and gravity of the situation, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

As this investigation unfolds, observers note that it comes at a critical juncture for Orban, who has managed to maintain close ties with Moscow despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. This relationship has drawn ire from EU officials, who are increasingly frustrated with Hungary's actions and its approach to European solidarity, especially regarding assistance to Ukraine, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.