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Hungary expelled 10 Russian diplomats Tuesday over activities deemed incompatible with their diplomatic status, prompting Russia to threaten a "harsh and painful" response.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban said the expelled individuals "had engaged in activities in Hungary that are unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention," without providing further details about the alleged conduct or disclosing the names and positions of those involved.
"The decision protects the security and sovereignty of Hungary," Orban said, stressing that the expulsions did not amount to cutting diplomatic ties with Russia.
"Hungary intends to continue the necessary dialogue, based on mutual respect and adherence to the rules," Orban said in a statement, adding in a Facebook post that Hungary had "called on the individuals in question to leave" the country.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told the state-run TASS news agency that Moscow would retaliate.
"The response to the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be harsh and painful," Zakharova said.
The expulsions mark a significant shift in relations between Hungary and Russia under the government of Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who took power in May. Former prime minister Viktor Orban, who lost power after 16 years in office in April elections, maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin even after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Under his government, Hungary continued purchasing Russian oil and gas, held up European Union sanctions on Russia, and blocked a €90 billion ($97 billion) EU loan to Ukraine.
While many European countries expelled dozens of Russian diplomats following the 2022 invasion, Hungary expelled none, and had not publicly expelled any Russian diplomat since 2018 until Tuesday's announcement.
Magyar's center-right government has repeatedly said Hungary's main alliances are the EU and NATO, and has said it aims to rebuild trust eroded under the previous government.
Foreign Minister Orban told a parliamentary hearing in May that Russia would "remain a partner" but that the relationship could not be based on "one-sided dependency," adding that Russian policies pose a security challenge to Hungary and Europe.
Tuesday's move follows the expulsion of a Russian diplomat in May over alleged intelligence-gathering activities conducted under diplomatic cover. Also in May, Orban summoned Russian Ambassador Evgeny Stanislavov following Russian drone strikes on Ukraine's western Zakarpattia region, home to a sizeable ethnic Hungarian community.
"I told the Russian ambassador that it was completely unacceptable for Hungary that they were now attacking Transcarpathia," Orban said at the time, also urging Russia to work toward "an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful and lasting end to the (Ukraine) war as soon as possible."
European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said Hungary's move was a "legitimate decision" and an "expected reaction in view of Russia's persistent campaign in using hybrid attacks against the EU and its member states."
"The European Union will continue to closely coordinate with Hungary and other member states, and remains committed to protecting the interests and the rights of EU citizens," Wigand said.
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