Hungary's Foreign Minister Anita Orbán announced that ten Russian diplomats were ordered to leave Budapest following accusations of "unacceptable" activities.
The expulsion underscores a sharp pivot away from Hungary’s long‑standing pro‑Russia stance, a shift that began after the 2024 election brought Péter Magyar to the prime minister’s office.
In a statement on social media, Orbán said the decision "protects Hungary's security and sovereignty," though she did not detail the alleged infractions.
Russia’s foreign ministry warned that it would respond "harshly and painfully," but Budapest clarified that diplomatic relations would continue unchanged.
The move follows a history of alleged espionage by Russian embassy staff in Hungary, with reports suggesting several staff members are tied to Russian intelligence.
The expulsion comes at a time when Hungary has called for an end to the war in Ukraine and has managed its energy imports from Russia carefully to avoid political fallout.
