Russia has ordered a group of Hungarian diplomatic staff to leave the country within two weeks. The move comes in retaliation for Hungary’s decision in September to expel ten Russian diplomats. Moscow’s action is seen as a direct response to Hungary’s new government, which has become markedly more critical of Russia in recent months.
Moscow Expels Hungarian Diplomats
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday that several employees from Hungary’s embassy in Moscow, as well as its consulates general in Saint Petersburg and Kazan, have been ordered to leave Russia.
The diplomats have been given a two-week deadline to depart. Russian authorities did not immediately specify the exact number of Hungarian diplomats affected by the measure.
This is a standard reciprocal diplomatic measure—Russia’s response to Budapest’s decision last month.
Hungary Previously Expelled Ten Russians
On September 8, Budapest announced the expulsion of ten Russian diplomatic mission staff.
Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Orbán, stated at the time that these diplomats engaged in activities deemed unacceptable by the Hungarian government under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The Hungarian authorities did not publicly specify the nature of these activities. However, in diplomatic practice, such language is often used in cases of suspected intelligence operations.
More on the original decision by Budapest can be found in the article “Hungary Expelled Ten Russian Diplomats and Explained Its Reasons.”
Moscow Had Warned It Would Respond
Russia’s response was not entirely unexpected. Following Hungary’s September decision, the Kremlin had stated that Budapest’s move would not go unanswered.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at the time that Moscow would react, but also emphasized its interest in maintaining relations between the two countries.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, took a more hardline stance, describing Moscow’s reaction as a “strong response.” This represented the official position of Russian diplomacy.
Budapest Seeks to Avoid Further Diplomatic Escalation
According to Reuters, Hungary’s Foreign Ministry has taken note of Russia’s decision and stated that Hungary does not wish to escalate diplomatic tensions further.
Budapest maintains its original decision regarding the Russian diplomats, citing national security as the reason.
The Hungarian government said it intends to continue its diplomatic presence in Russia. The reciprocal expulsions do not signify a complete break in diplomatic relations.
A Shift in Hungary’s Policy Toward Moscow
This latest dispute comes amid a significant shift in Hungarian foreign policy.
The new government, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, is distancing itself from the policy lines of Viktor Orbán’s previous administration regarding Russia and the war in Ukraine.
For example, in August, the Hungarian government officially identified Russia’s behavior as a threat to Hungary, Europe, and global order in its guidelines for the UN General Assembly.
Details on this policy shift can be found in the article “Post-Orbán Hungary Changes Course: Péter Magyar’s Government Labels Russia a Threat.”
Diplomatic Dispute Does Not Mean Break in Relations
The expulsion of diplomats is a serious foreign policy tool, but it does not, by itself, amount to breaking off diplomatic relations.
Both countries continue to maintain diplomatic missions. However, Russia’s latest move sends a clear signal that any similar decisions by Budapest will be met with reciprocal actions.
It remains to be seen whether the dispute will end with the current exchange of diplomats or lead to further measures from either side.
Moscow-Budapest Relations Undergo Change
In previous years, Russia and Hungary maintained relatively close political and energy ties. Viktor Orbán’s government kept up contacts with Moscow even after Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The new government, however, has gradually adopted a different tone toward Russia and now emphasizes Hungary’s ties to the European Union and NATO.
The latest expulsion of diplomats is thus not an isolated event, but part of a broader series of steps suggesting a shift in the bilateral relationship.
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Post-Orbán Hungary Changes Course: Péter Magyar’s Government Labels Russia a Threat
This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
