Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats, government says move protects security

Hungary has ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave Budapest after they were found to have taken part in activities the foreign ministry described as unacceptable, Foreign Minister Anita Orbán said on social media, stressing the decision protects Hungary’s security and sovereignty.

The foreign minister emphasised that the expulsions do not mean a break in diplomatic relations with Russia, while the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman in Moscow warned of a harsh response to what she called a “Russophobic lobby”.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who pledged pragmatic relations with Moscow after his election in April, and Orbán have both urged Russia to end the war in Ukraine. In May, Anita Orbán summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a drone attack on Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region, home to a sizeable Hungarian minority.

Last month the government issued new guidelines stating that Russia’s conduct in Ukraine poses a threat to Hungary, Europe and the global order, and endangers the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia.

Russia’s ambassador to Budapest, Evgeny Stanislavov, criticised the expulsions as an “unprecedented and ungrounded escalation”, saying Budapest’s promise of pragmatic cooperation was meaningless.

An independent Russian investigation reported before April’s election that some Russian embassy staff in Budapest were linked to Russian intelligence agencies. Former Hungarian counter-intelligence chief András Telkes said Russian spying activity had been investigated previously but that the prior government had prevented action.

Russian officials have denied using embassies for espionage, yet hundreds of Russian diplomats have been expelled across Europe since 2022 and Moscow has typically reciprocated.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The government announced the expulsion of 10 diplomats for unacceptable activities and maintained diplomatic relations would continue. Moscow signalled a firm retaliatory stance through its spokeswoman and ambassador. Previous reports and statements cited links between some embassy staff and Russian intelligence, and officials noted a history of reciprocal expulsions across Europe since 2022.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Hungary ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave, citing unacceptable activities and national security concerns.
• Foreign Minister Anita Orbán said the move does not break diplomatic ties; Russia warned of a harsh response.
• Officials referenced past reports of links between some Russian embassy staff and Russian intelligence and noted reciprocal expulsions in Europe since 2022.