Szijjártó offered to help Lavrov during Prigozhin's mutiny
Journalists published a recording of a phone conversation between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The conversation took place on June 24, 2023—the very day that a military mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the so-called Wagner Group, was underway.
The Hungarian official decided to personally call his Russian counterpart immediately after the mercenaries seized military facilities in Rostov-on-Don and began advancing toward the Russian capital.
It was important for Péter Szijjártó to learn about the actual state of affairs in the aggressor country and to determine whether the Russian foreign minister himself was in any danger.
In particular, the diplomat openly inquired about rumors regarding the possible evacuation of the Russian leadership from Moscow.
At the beginning of the conversation, the Hungarian minister tried to clarify whether the Russian authorities were capable of maintaining stability in the country. “I just wanted to know if you are in control of the situation and if everything is all right with you?” asked Péter Szijjártó.
Sergey Lavrov was quick to reassure his European counterpart and assured him that there was no threat to the current regime. The Russian minister emphasized that all internal processes were under the close supervision of the leadership.
“We are in full control of the situation. The president has said everything that needs to be said. Don’t worry, we will resolve this issue calmly,” replied the head of the Russian ministry.
The most telling moment of the dialogue came at the end of the conversation, when the Hungarian representative expressed his willingness to support the representative of the occupying country.
“Well, if you personally need anything, just let me know!” emphasized Péter Szijjártó.
In response, Sergey Lavrov merely laughed and declined any assistance from the Hungarian side. The Russian official thanked him for his concern and noted that he was currently managing on his own.
“I don’t need anything. No problem. Thanks for calling,” the Russian foreign minister concluded.
The transcript was published by investigative journalist Szabolcs Pányi as part of the international project “Kremlin Hotline.”
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