Hungary Expels 10 Russian Diplomats

Hungary ordered the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats on Sept. 7.

Moscow’s ambassador to Budapest was told that “according to the assessment of the Hungarian authorities, 10 members of the Russian mission had engaged in activities in Hungary that are unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention,” Foreign Minister Anita Orbán said in a Sept. 8 post on X.

The Vienna Convention is a 1961 treaty that governs diplomats’ behavior.

“This decision protects Hungary’s security and sovereignty,” Orbán continued, adding that it “does not imply breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia,” and that Budapest “intends to continue the necessary dialogue, based on mutual respect and adherence to the rules.”

She did not provide any more details, including as to how long the banishment would last.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Moscow’s state news agency TASS that the Kremlin’s response to“the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be harsh and painful.”

Hungary’s move was praised by the European Union, which has voiced support for the new government since former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was ousted in an election earlier this year.

European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said Budapest made a “legitimate decision,” which he characterized as “an expected reaction in view of Russia’s persistent campaign in using hybrid attacks against the EU and its member states.”

He added that the EU expresses its “full solidarity” with Hungary and “reaffirms its support for the diplomatic and consular activities of all member states conducted in accordance with international law,” saying that the 27-nation bloc would “continue to coordinate with Hungary and other member states and remains committed to protecting the interests and rights of EU citizens.”

Hungary’s move comes just days after Germany ordered the shuttering of the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin on Sept. 1 after blaming Moscow for an attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport in August.

It also builds on a reversal of Hungary’s position on Russia. Last month, Budapest declared Moscow a “threat to the global order” and formally condemned its military aggression, a sharp shift in the new government’s outlook compared with that of its predecessor.

Policy guidelines published on Aug. 25, which must be followed by Budapest’s delegation to the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly, stated that “Hungary condemns the Russian military aggression and fully supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and recognises Ukraine’s right to self-defence.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has pushed more anti-Russian policies since taking office, moving Hungary away from the previously cozy relationship it had with the Kremlin under Viktor Orbán and toward more affable terms with the rest of the European Union, which it joined in 2004.

So far, Magyar has announced a review of Orbán’s 2014 Paks II nuclear power plant deal with Russia’s Rosatom, secured a deal to release 16.4 billion euros ($19.1 billion) in frozen EU funds, and rescinded Budapest’s vetoes on reimbursing EU countries for arms sent to Kyiv.

He also returned gold and cash that Budapest had seized from bank vehicles that were transporting the assets across Hungary to Ukraine.

Despite Magyar cooling Budapest’s relationship with Moscow, his government remains opposed to fast-tracking Ukraine to membership in the EU, which will entail some EU-required reforms on Ukraine’s part.

“Hungary continues to oppose accelerated EU accession. If Ukraine succeeds in closing all 33 accession chapters within the next 10 to 15 years, Hungary will support Ukraine’s accession, subject to a legally binding referendum,” Magyar said in a June 3 post on X.

Under Viktor Orbán, who is unrelated to the current foreign minister, Hungary maintained much more friendly relations with Moscow than most other nations in Europe in the wake of the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.