Moscow threatens ‘harsh and painful’ retaliation after Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats

Hungarian foreign minister Anita Orbán. Photo credit: AP

Hungary on Tuesday ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave the country over “unacceptable activities” it said were incompatible with their diplomatic status. The move prompted Moscow to threaten a “harsh and painful” retaliation, marking a significant shift in Budapest’s approach to Russia.Hungarian foreign minister Anita Orbán said the Russian ambassador had been informed that the 10 diplomats had “engaged in activities in Hungary that are unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention”.Orbán, who is not related to former prime minister Viktor Orbán, did not disclose the specific activities or give a deadline for their departure. She stressed, however, that Budapest was not seeking to sever ties with Moscow.“This decision protects Hungary’s security and sovereignty,” Orbán said. “It does not imply breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia. Hungary intends to continue the necessary dialogue, based on mutual respect and adherence to the rules.”Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign ministry has warned retaliation. Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told the TASS state news agency that, “The response to the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be harsh and painful.”The expulsions come after years of close ties between Hungary and Russia under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was swept from power in April after 16 years in office. His government maintained relations with Russian president Vladimir Putin even after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, continued purchasing Russian oil and gas and opposed some European Union measures against Moscow.Hungary had also not publicly expelled Russian diplomats since 2018 and had sent none home after the Ukraine invasion, unlike several other European countries.New prime minister Peter Magyar’s centre-right government has since stressed Hungary’s commitments to the European Union and NATO and pledged to rebuild trust with its allies.