Hungary and Russia have signed a secret agreement to expand economic, energy, and cultural ties. The document has become a new weapon for the opposition in the electoral struggle, Politico reports.
The Hungarian government has signed an agreement with Russia to expand bilateral economic, trade, energy, and cultural ties, Politico reported on Wednesday, April 8, citing copies of documents from the Russian government in its possession. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko signed a 12-point cooperation plan following talks in Moscow in December of last year. The text of the agreement had not been previously disclosed.
The document covers nuclear fuel, education, sports, and other areas. The meeting in Moscow on December 9, 2025, was the 16th session of the Russian-Hungarian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, established in 2005. The commission meets approximately once a year - with a break between the 14th meeting in November 2021 and the 15th in September 2024.
Oil, Gas, Nuclear Energy
When asked about the content of the documents, Szijjarto responded that "Hungary's bilateral cooperation is defined by national interests, not by pressure from liberal media." The Russian Foreign Ministry did not respond to Politico's request.
Among the agreements reached is a commitment to "reverse the negative trend in bilateral trade" that has developed as a result of EU sanctions against Russia imposed in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The agreement opens up opportunities for Russian companies to implement projects in Hungary in the fields of electricity and hydrogen, as well as to expand cooperation in oil, gas, and nuclear fuel.
Hungary has agreed to explore the possibility of strengthening the teaching of the Russian language by attracting teachers from Russia, as well as expanding academic exchange programs. The parties supported exchanges in the fields of sports and circus arts and agreed on a cooperation plan for 2026-2027. One of the documents emphasizes that rapprochement with Russia should not "contradict Hungary's obligations as a member of the European Union."
Orban Before the Elections
On April 7, Bloomberg reported that in October 2025, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban offered Russian President Vladimir Putin to help "in any possible way" and referred to Hungary as a "mouse" under the Russian "lion." Orban presents his ties with Moscow as an electoral trump card, accusing opposition rival Peter Madjar of plans to drag Hungary into a war against Ukraine and deprive it of access to Russian fuel. Madjar, in turn, called the agreements with Moscow "outright treason."
Orban, as noted by Politico, is facing the toughest test of his 16-year rule - parliamentary elections will be held in Hungary on April 12, where his party "Fidesz," according to polls, may lose to the opposition party "Tisza." The election campaign is accompanied by strategic information leaks, accusations of cyber espionage, and statements from diplomats about outside interference.
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