Hungary expels ten Russian diplomats, Russia vows response

Moscow said it will mount a “harsh and painful” response after Hungary announced the expulsion of several Russian diplomats earlier this week. The Hungarian foreign ministry ordered the removal of three embassy staff members, citing alleged involvement in activities that threatened national security and contravened Hungary’s commitments to the European Union’s sanctions regime against Russia. The decision follows a series of diplomatic frictions between the two countries, including Hungary’s recent criticism of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine and its refusal to support new Russian initiatives at the United Nations.

In a statement delivered to state media, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned that the expulsions would trigger “reciprocal measures” that could affect Hungarian diplomatic personnel and interests in Russia, though it did not specify the exact nature of the retaliation. Analysts note that the escalation adds strain to an already tenuous relationship, with potential implications for bilateral trade, energy cooperation, and broader EU‑Russia relations. Both governments have called for calm, but the exchange underscores the deepening diplomatic rift as the conflict in Eastern Europe continues to shape foreign policies across the continent.