Hungary ordered the expulsion of ten Russian diplomats from the country this Tuesday (8). The announcement was made by the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Anita Orbán.
According to her, the Hungarian authorities concluded that the employees of the Russian diplomatic mission engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status and in violation of the Vienna Convention. The Russian ambassador was notified of this also this Tuesday.
“This decision was taken to protect Hungary’s security and sovereignty. It does not mean the breaking of diplomatic relations with Russia. Hungary intends to continue the necessary dialogue based on mutual respect and observance of the rules,” Orbán wrote on social media.
The expulsion of the diplomats comes amid a deterioration in relations between Hungary and Russia following the change of government in 2026. Under the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Budapest has regularly opposed anti-Russia sanctions within the European Union and criticized military aid to Ukraine. His successor, Péter Magyar, also does not want to help Kiev with weapons, but is critical of Moscow’s actions in the context of the war in Ukraine and defends the strengthening of Hungary’s ties with the EU and NATO.
Russia says it will respond to the measure
The Russian Foreign Ministry, in turn, declared that it will respond to the expulsion of Russian diplomats by Budapest. “The Russian side will respond accordingly,” says the statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added that “the response to the Russian-language lobby in Budapest will be harsh and painful.”
The Russian ambassador to Hungary, Yevgeny Stanislavov, classified the expulsion of Russian diplomats as a hostile attitude by Budapest. According to the diplomat, statements by the Hungarian authorities about their desire to keep open channels of dialogue with Russia and continue pragmatic cooperation have no value.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
