Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats in sharp break from Viktor Orbán era

Budapest,UPDATED: Sep 8, 2026 20:30 IST

Hungary has ordered 10 members of Russia's diplomatic mission in Budapest to leave the country over activities it said were unacceptable, in a move that signals a shift from the previous administration's close ties with Moscow. Russia said it would respond.

Foreign Minister Anita Orbn said the Russian ambassador had been told that, "according to the assessment of the Hungarian authorities, 10 members of the Russian mission had engaged in activities in Hungary that are unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention". The treaty governs the conduct of diplomats.

The expulsions come months after Prime Minister Peter Magyar was sworn in on a promise to tackle corruption and dismantle the power structures left behind by his predecessor Viktor Orbn, who governed the European Union country for 16 years. Viktor Orbn, who is not related to the foreign minister, was an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, repeatedly delayed or blocked EU sanctions on Russia, and pursued energy deals with Moscow.

The foreign minister did not specify the alleged activities or say how long the Russian personnel had been given to leave, but said Hungary wanted to maintain diplomatic contacts with Moscow. "This decision protects Hungary's security and sovereignty," Orbn said in a statement. "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."

The Russian Foreign Ministry, in comments to state news agency RIA Novosti, said it would provide "an appropriate response" to the expulsions, without giving details. European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said, "we take note of Hungary's legitimate decision" and described it as an expected reaction to "Russia's persistent campaign in using hybrid attacks against the EU and its member states".

European leaders have repeatedly accused Moscow of carrying out large-scale hybrid warfare campaigns, including sabotage, election interference and an attempted attack at a German airport. On Tuesday, Romanian authorities said they had detained a 40-year-old Russian citizen suspected of spying for Moscow between February and July this year, allegedly in preparation for acts of sabotage after collecting "information of a military nature". Romania's anti-organised crime agency, DIICOT, said the suspect took and sent photographs of Romanian and NATO equipment and the movement of military personnel in several counties, which "endangered national security". The Romanian intelligence service, SRI, said the man had been instructed by an intermediary to take photos and videos "with targets of strategic military interest, including Ukrainian ANTONOV cargo aircraft," while they were on Romanian territory, and added that the case showed a "similar pattern to that used on the territory of European states by networks of saboteurs" coordinated by Russia. Russia has repeatedly denied trying to destabilise countries across Europe.

In summary, Hungary's expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats marks a notable change in its approach to Moscow, even as Budapest says it wants to keep diplomatic channels open, with Russia promising a response and European authorities linking the move to wider security concerns across the region.

With PTI Inputs

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