Hungary Expels Ten Russian Diplomats Amid Russia‑Hungary Rift
Anita Orbán, Hungary’s Foreign Minister, announced that ten Russian diplomats stationed in Budapest were to leave the country on grounds of “unacceptable” activities. The decision, made on her social‑media channel, was framed as protecting national security and sovereignty, yet it sparked a sharp diplomatic backlash.
For years Hungary under Viktor Orbán had been viewed as the EU’s closest ally to Moscow, a position that shifted dramatically after the 2024 elections when the new liberal government absorbed the centre‑right Fidesz faction and pledged a “pragmatic” relationship with Russia. Prime Minister Péter Magyar has openly called on Moscow to halt the Ukrainian war and has criticised the Kremlin’s stance on aid and sanctions.
In response, the Russian embassy in Budapest issued a warning that any retaliation would be “harsh and painful.” This mirrors a broader trend in Europe where hundreds of Russian diplomats have been expelled since the start of the full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The expulsion follows a series of espionage allegations made against Russian embassy staff, including claims that 15 of the 47 staff members were linked to intelligence agencies, and that six more might be connected to espionage networks. Former Hungarian counter‑intelligence chief András Telkes has pointed to a historical pattern of interference in Hungarian politics, noting that the Fidesz government had historically shielded such activities.
The move raises questions about the future of diplomatic relations between Hungary and Russia. Should Hungary reciprocate with a similar expulsion of Russian diplomats in Moscow, the diplomatic mission there could be shut down, marking a significant deterioration in bilateral ties.
The incident underscores the increasingly complex dynamics at play in the European Union, where member states are balancing strategic alliances, security concerns, and the broader geopolitical fallout from the Ukraine war.
