Hungary, Poland, Rumania, Russia; Rakoczy Castle

-Rakoczy Castle in Transylvania, Rumania    http://www.guideathand.com/en/sight/rakoczi-castle_3

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 http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Rákóczi

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7-19-17 

-Hungarian PM Orban

   

  Western officials say Russian intelligence agencies have boosted their presence over the past few years in Hungary, which is a member of Europe’s border-free Schengen zone, to launch a variety of intelligence and sabotage operations in the EU.  “There is tremendous concern that Russia is basically using Hungary as an intel forward operating base in NATO and the EU,” said a former official at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, who spoke on condition of anonymity.  “Back in 2014-2015 [the Russians] went from maybe 50-100 intelligence officers up to 300 plus” in Hungary, said the former embassy official. ...

   “NATO policy is an exception in Hungarian politics, it’s been consistent,” regardless of any government’s ideology, said one current Hungarian official, who declined to be identified.  “I have never felt like I’m not taken seriously” by NATO partners, he said, adding that “Hungary is quite active” in contributing intelligence to alliance members, especially on Ukraine and the Western Balkans....

  But among some of their (NATO'S) partners, the Hungarian government and security apparatus are regarded as untrustworthy.  “Everyone thinks Hungary is compromised,” said one Westerner who worked for NATO during part of the Orbán years.  “I was told not to share anything classified with Hungarians, even if they had the appropriate clearance,” this person said....our read was that Hungarian officials don’t believe they can kick them (Russian operatives) all out without provoking Russia,” said the former U.S. Embassy official.   https://www.politico.eu/article/moscow-spooks-return-to-hungary-raising-nato-hackles/

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5-27-16    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-europe-shield/putin-says-romania-poland-may-now-be-in-russias-cross-hairs-idUSKCN0YI2ER