Hungary Expels 10 Russian Diplomats in Historical Policy Shift Under New Government
In an unprecedented move reflecting a major foreign policy shift, Hungary’s government on Tuesday ordered 10 diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Budapest to leave the country. Foreign Minister Anita Orbán announced that Hungarian authorities determined the staff members were engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status under the Vienna Convention.
The decision represents the largest mass expulsion of Russian diplomats in Hungary's history. It marks a dramatic departure from the policies of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who maintained warm relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and frequently opposed European Union sanctions on Moscow. Following the election of Prime Minister Péter Magyar earlier this year, Budapest has actively sought to repair ties with its European Union and NATO allies while taking a firmer line on national sovereignty and security.
Hungarian officials emphasized that while the decision was necessary to safeguard the nation's security, it does not amount to a complete severance of diplomatic relations. However, Moscow reacted with hostility to the announcement, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warning that Russia would deliver a "harsh and painful" response. European officials and neighboring Ukraine welcomed Budapest's action, framing it as a critical step toward countering foreign intelligence operations and strengthening European security coordination.
