Hungary Expels 10 Russian Diplomats Amid Rising Tensions

Tue Sep 08 2026 17:16:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hungary imposes expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats, escalating tensions as Moscow threatens retaliation, amid a shift in Budapest’s policy toward Russia.

Hungary has ordered ten Russian diplomats to leave Budapest after accusations of “unacceptable” activity, deepening the diplomatic rift that has already seen Russia threaten a “harsh and painful” response. The measure, announced by Foreign Minister Anita Orbán, is framed as a safeguard for national security and sovereignty, though it does not signal a break in diplomatic ties. New Prime Minister Péter Magyar has already shifted Hungary’s orientation from a pro‑Russian stance, calling for pragmatic relations and urging Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Analysts highlight that the expulsion follows long‑standing allegations of espionage by Russian embassy staff and a history of diplomatic confrontations. Moscow’s embassy has warned of retaliation, raising the stakes for future relations.

A building in Budapest surrounded by a metal fence with pedestrians and parked cars

Hungary Expels 10 Russian Diplomats Amid Rising Tensions

Hungary has ordered ten Russian diplomats to leave Budapest after accusations of "unacceptable" activity, deepening the diplomatic rift that has already seen Russia threaten a "harsh and painful" response.

Foreign Minister Anita Orbán, who has been balancing Hungary’s historic closeness to Moscow against a new government’s pragmatic stance, said the action was needed to safeguard national safety and sovereignty. The move does not signal a break in diplomatic ties, but the Kremlin’s embassy has warned it will retaliate.

Evolving Relationship Post‑Elections

Hungary, once the EU’s most pro‑Russian ally under Viktor Orbán, has pivoted since losing the April elections. New Prime Minister Péter Magyar calls for "pragmatic" relations with Moscow, while both he and the foreign minister have urged Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

In May, Anita Orbán summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a drone attack on Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region, where a significant Hungarian minority resides. Analysts note that the former Fidesz government had not taken similar steps since 2022.

Diplomatic Fallout and Espionage Allegations

The expulsion follows reports that 15 of the 47 Russian embassy staff in Budapest were linked to Russian intelligence groups, with six more suspected. Former counter‑intelligence chief András Telkes told the BBC that the Fidesz administration had blocked investigations into Russian espionage.

A Russian embassy statement denied any involvement of military intelligence officers; however, hundreds of Russian diplomats have been expelled from Europe since 2022, and Russia has often responded in kind.

If Hungary were to reciprocally expel the same number of Russian diplomats from Moscow, this could effectively close the Hungarian embassy there, Telkes warned.

Images:
A building in Budapest surrounded by a metal fence, with pedestrians and parked cars. (AFP via Getty Images)