Hi Global Recap readers,
This is wild if true:
A lot of people are calling the Hungarian FM a “traitor” after hearing this alleged leaked call.
Some people are arguing there’s nothing unusual about discussing this stuff over the phone.
But the issue isn’t really the call by itself. It’s the context.
He was already facing accusations of passing classified details from EU meetings to his Russian counterpart. In isolation, the call could seem harmless. In this context? It looks different. 👇🏼
🇷🇺🇭🇺 RUSSIA & HUNGARY
Leaked Call
This is an alleged leaked call between Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó on August 30, 2024.
Lavrov asks for sanctions on Gulbakhor Ismailova, the sister of oligarch Alisher Usmanov, to be lifted.
Szijjártó assures him that Hungary and Slovakia are preparing a proposal.
She was later removed from the EU sanctions list on March 2025.
This comes as Szijjártó was accused of relaying confidence EU meeting details to Lavrov during meeting breaks.
Szijjártó later admitted that he called Lavrov “before and after” EU summits.
🇨🇦 CANADA
Petition Clears
Alberta Referendum
Alberta's independence petition has now passed the 177,732 signatures needed to trigger a provincial referendum in Alberta.
Now, that puts Albertans on track to vote on independence on October 19.
They're still collecting names to show broader support until May 2.
A lot of Albertans have long felt that national politics are set by Central Canada, while Alberta is mostly treated as a place that just sends money, oil, and tax revenue east and then gets lectured back.
🇮🇷 IRAN
Trump Posts Isfahan Blast
President Trump posted video from a huge Isfahan blast.
A US official said 2,000-pound (907 kg) bunker busters hit an ammunition depot.
Isfahan also holds much of Iran's 60% enriched uranium stockpile underground.
It also has a large underground missile network.
🇹🇷 TURKEY
Fourth Iranian Missile
Intercepted
NATO intercepts ballistic munition launched from Iran entering Turkish airspace.
NATO shot down yet another Iranian missile over Turkey on Monday.
Turkey says it's the fourth such threat in under a month.
However, Iran is still denying that it fired at Turkey.
NATO already sent two extra Patriot systems into Turkey after the previous iterceptions.
The likely targets were key NATO sites.
🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Allies Want Fewer Oil Strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
TLDR:
^ Some allies want Ukraine to ease up on Russian oil strikes.
^ Why? Because global energy prices are spiking.
^ President Zelenskyy says Ukraine will match restraint if Russia stops hitting its energy system.
^ He also said Kyiv is open to an Easter ceasefire.
^ Meanwhile, Ukraine is chasing diesel and air defense help in the Middle East.
Details
Pressure. President Zelenskyy said some partners have been pushing Ukraine to cut back its long-range strikes on Russia's oil sector after the latest energy shock sent prices higher. He said that in a WhatsApp briefing with reporters on Monday.
Offer. He said Ukraine is ready to reciprocate if Russia stops attacking Ukraine's energy system. He also said Kyiv is open to an Easter ceasefire.
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar (center left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (center right) walking together during their meeting in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday.
Supply. Back from a four-day Middle East trip, Zelenskyy said some countries agreed to help Ukraine with energy support. He also said Ukraine had reached a one-year diesel delivery deal, though he did not name the supplier.
Deals. Ukraine signed framework cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and Zelenskyy said another one is being prepared with the UAE. He said he also raised air defense missile supplies in those talks.
Missiles. Zelenskyy said Ukraine's partners are now sending anti-ballistic missile systems to the Middle East first because of the Iran war, while also pointing out that Ukraine is sometimes being forgotten while Russia keeps hitting its energy infrastructure.
🇩🇪 GERMANY
Merz Wants
80% Syrian Returns
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (left) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) after speaking to the media in Berlin on March 30, 2026. Al-Sharaa’s Berlin visit drew both protests and support
TLDR:
^ Merz says most Syrians in Germany should go home.
^ His target is 80% within three years.
^ He wants Damascus to help people return faster.
^ Doctors and nurses could still stay.
Details
Plan. On March 30 in Berlin, Chancellor Friedrich Merz stood next to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and said around 80% of Syrians living in Germany should head back over the next three years.
He argued the Syrian civil war is over and there is now a path for people to go back.
Merz did leave himself some room though. He said certain groups, including doctors and nurses, could stay.
Politics. This wasn't out of nowhere.
Merz made tighter migration rules a central campaign issue in 2025.
His government is now trying to work with Damascus to send back Syrians who no longer have a legal right to stay.
By the end of 2024, Germany had about 1.23 million people of Syrian origin registered.
Reaction. The visit set off protests outside the chancellery, where Berlin police counted about 120 demonstrators, but al-Sharaa also had supporters in the city. Critics pointed to his past as Abu Mohammad al-Julani and the fact the US had once offered a $10 million reward for his arrest before dropping it in December 2024.
📌 Context. Millions of Syrians fled the war that began in 2011, and many ended up in Germany during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis. That is why any serious push for returns lands as both a migration fight and a test of whether Syria is actually safe enough now.
