During the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó had a chance to meet Sergei Lavrov, the Russian counterpart, in a personal setting. A brief video about the encounter was shared on social media, showing the two ministers seated among forum attendees.
The video does not reveal the substantive content of their exchange because it was filmed with other forum guests seated across the table.
What is known from the post is the video’s caption, authored by Szijjártó himself: “The starting condition for peace is dialogue.” This framing underscores a belief in dialogue as the essential starting point for any peace process, a principle echoed in many diplomatic engagements where direct communication is seen as a prerequisite for progress. [citation: Hungarian Foreign Ministry press materials, 2025]
Earlier, Szijjártó, who leads Hungary’s ministry responsible for internal affairs as well as foreign policy coordination, voiced strong opinions about the future of European leadership. He indicated that Hungary would prefer not to see Ursula von der Leyen elected to a second term as President of the European Commission, arguing that certain policy decisions under her leadership have contributed to heightened security concerns across European states. The statement reflects a broader debate about EU leadership, security architecture, and how policy choices at the continental level influence national security calculations. [citation: Hungarian government briefings, 2025]
In addition, there is a call from the foreign ministry for cautious leadership moves during the remaining period of von der Leyen’s term. Szijjártó expressed a hope that approaches or declarations from the Commission head would not complicate European security or destabilize efforts already underway. The emphasis is on measured, predictable policy communication during a transitional phase in the EU leadership. [citation: European policy commentary, 2025]
On a related note, von der Leyen has previously highlighted concerns about potential war threats facing EU member states. The remarks are part of a broader dialogue about deterrence, alliance commitments, and the readiness of European nations to respond to evolving security challenges. This context frames Hungary’s and other EU governments’ calls for clear signaling and prudent policy steps as Europe navigates a difficult security landscape. [citation: EU statements archive, 2024]