Hungary Expels Ten Russian Diplomats Following Government Change

The Hungarian government has expelled ten Russian diplomats after Foreign Minister Anita Orbán announced that the individuals engaged in activities unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention. This move is widely interpreted as a response to espionage activities. The Russian embassy described the step as an escalating and unprecedentedly unfriendly act, while the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Marija Zaharova, promised a hard and painful response. Alexei Chepa, deputy chairman of the State Duma International Affairs Committee, warned that the decision could lead to a decrease in joint economic projects between the two nations.

This action marks a significant shift in Hungarian policy. Under the previous government of Viktor Orbán, only one Russian diplomat had been expelled since 2010, and that occurred in 2018 as a gesture of solidarity with the United Kingdom following the poisoning of Sergei Skripal. European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand stated that the expulsion was a foreseeable reaction to Russia's persistent hybrid attacks against the EU and its member states, adding that the EU expresses full solidarity with Hungary.

Analysts suggest the move serves two purposes: signaling to Moscow that Hungary will no longer be lenient toward Russian intelligence officers, and signaling to Western allies that Hungary is a trustworthy partner. While Foreign Minister Anita Orbán stated that the expulsions do not mean a severance of diplomatic ties, the Russian embassy claimed the move proves the new government has fallen captive to ideologically motivated, anti Russian rhetoric.