Hungary Expels 10 Russian Diplomats as Budapest Takes a Tougher Line
World
Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ordered 10 employees of the Russian diplomatic mission to leave the country. Budapest said the individuals had engaged in activities “unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention.”
Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban said the decision was aimed at protecting the country’s security and sovereignty. She stressed that it did not amount to a break in diplomatic relations with Russia, with Budapest intending to continue dialogue “on the basis of mutual respect and compliance with established rules.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the government “will protect the sovereignty of the country.” Russia’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, warned that its response to the expulsions would be “tough and painful.”
The decision comes as Budapest further shifts its position on relations with Moscow. In August, Hungary officially declared Russia a threat to the country, Europe and the world order for the first time. Budapest also condemned Russia’s military aggression and supported Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-defence.
Earlier, Hungarian Defence Minister Romulus Rusin-Szendi accused Russian intelligence of attempting to enter EU countries “through the back door” and pledged to “close the door to the Russians.” He stressed that issues of national security and NATO membership “allow for no compromise.”
Following the parliamentary election on April 12, Magyar’s Tisza party defeated Viktor Orban’s Fidesz. The new prime minister announced plans to restore relations with Kyiv, linking the move to the protection of the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia. Under the new government, Budapest also unblocked negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession and resolved some previous disputes with Kyiv.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the government “will protect the sovereignty of the country.” Russia’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, warned that its response to the expulsions would be “tough and painful.”
The decision comes as Budapest further shifts its position on relations with Moscow. In August, Hungary officially declared Russia a threat to the country, Europe and the world order for the first time. Budapest also condemned Russia’s military aggression and supported Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-defence.
Earlier, Hungarian Defence Minister Romulus Rusin-Szendi accused Russian intelligence of attempting to enter EU countries “through the back door” and pledged to “close the door to the Russians.” He stressed that issues of national security and NATO membership “allow for no compromise.”
Following the parliamentary election on April 12, Magyar’s Tisza party defeated Viktor Orban’s Fidesz. The new prime minister announced plans to restore relations with Kyiv, linking the move to the protection of the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia. Under the new government, Budapest also unblocked negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession and resolved some previous disputes with Kyiv.
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