Key facts
- Russia will expel Hungarian diplomats in retaliation for Budapest's earlier expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry stated the Hungarian diplomats must leave within two weeks.
Russia will expel an unspecified number of Hungarian diplomats in retaliation for Budapest expelling 10 Russian diplomats last month, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced Thursday. The Hungarian Foreign Ministry acknowledged the decision, stating Hungary is not interested in escalating diplomatic tensions.
The expulsion of diplomats between Russia and Hungary signals a continued deterioration of relations and highlights Hungary's pivot away from its previous pro-Russian stance under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban towards closer alignment with the European Union and NATO.
Russia announced on Thursday that it will expel an unspecified number of Hungarian diplomats in a retaliatory move, following Budapest's expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats last month. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that staff members from the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow and its consulates general in St. Petersburg and Kazan must leave Russian territory within two weeks.
The Hungarian Foreign Ministry acknowledged Russia's decision, adding that Hungary is not interested in an escalation of diplomatic tension. Hungary had previously accused the Russian diplomats it expelled of acting in ways incompatible with their status, a phrase often used to imply spying.
This diplomatic tit-for-tat occurs against the backdrop of Hungary's shifting foreign policy. Under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungary maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, continuing to purchase Russian oil and gas despite European Union sanctions, even after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Orban lost power in April after 16 years in office.
His successor, Prime Minister Peter Magyar, and his center-right government have emphasized that Hungary's primary alliances are with the European Union and NATO, and have stated their intention to rebuild trust that was eroded during Orban's tenure.
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