Hungary has ordered ten Russian diplomats to leave the country, citing “unacceptable” activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. This decision has provoked a strong reaction from Moscow, which has threatened a “harsh and painful” response to what it termed a “Russophobic lobby in Budapest”.
Hungary Expels 10 Russian Diplomats
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Anita Orbán confirmed the expulsion of ten Russian diplomats on Tuesday, stating the move was necessary to “defend our country’s sovereignty”. The foreign minister clarified that this action does not imply a break in diplomatic relations with Russia, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The European Union has supported Hungary’s decision, with a spokesperson for the EU describing it as “an expected reaction” to “Russia’s persistent campaign in using hybrid attacks against the EU”, according to The Guardian.
Moscow Promises ‘Harsh and Painful’ Response
In response to the expulsions, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned of a “harsh and painful” retaliation, as reported by the BBC. Russia’s Ambassador to Budapest, Evgeny Stanislavov, criticised Hungary’s move as an “unprecedented and ungrounded escalation”, expressing bitterness over the new Hungarian government’s stated intention for “pragmatic” co-operation.
Historically, Russia has responded to such expulsions with tit-for-tat measures, potentially leading to the expulsion of Hungarian diplomats from Moscow. An former Hungarian foreign intelligence official suggested that expelling ten Hungarian diplomats from Moscow could “effectively close the Hungarian embassy there”, according to the BBC.
Shift in Hungary’s Stance Towards Russia
This diplomatic action marks a significant shift in Hungary’s approach to Russia. Under the previous government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary was widely considered Russia’s closest ally within the European Union, maintaining warm relations even after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. During that period, Hungary reportedly prioritised access to cheap Russian oil imports and frequently delayed EU sanctions against Russia and aid packages for Ukraine.
However, since Péter Magyar’s Tisza party came to power in April, the new Hungarian government has adopted a different stance. Prime Minister Magyar and Foreign Minister Anita Orbán have called for an end to the war in Ukraine. In May, Foreign Minister Orbán summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a drone attack on Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region, home to a significant Hungarian minority. The new government’s guidelines now explicitly state that Russia’s conduct in Ukraine “poses a threat to Hungary, Europe and the global order”, a stark contrast to previous policies.
The change in policy follows previous investigations into alleged Russian spying activity in Budapest. An independent Russian investigative website, Agentsvo, reported that a significant number of Russian embassy staff in Budapest under the previous administration were potentially linked to Russian intelligence agencies. Former Hungarian foreign intelligence deputy head András Telkes stated that the previous government had prevented action being taken on these concerns. Russia has consistently denied that its embassies are used for espionage.
The broader context of Russian aggression continues to be a focus for international allies, with calls to help Kyiv boost its defences amid expectations of continued Russian attacks over the winter. For more on the ongoing conflict, readers can find updates on topics such as Black Sea Attacks: Potential Local Economic Impact and Ukrainian Strikes Target Russian Warehouses.
