Hungary has demanded that 10 individuals with the Russian mission depart the country.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Orban — who is not related to Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orban — noted in a post on X that the 10 people had participated in actions that were “unacceptable” according to the Vienna Convention.
“Acting on my instructions, on Tuesday the relevant official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Russian ambassador to Hungary 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 Hungarian side has therefore called on the individuals in question to leave Hungary,” she declared in the post.
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But Orban noted that Hungary is not cutting off diplomatic relations with Russia.
“This decision protects Hungary’s security and sovereignty. 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,” she said in the post.
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The Russian Foreign Ministry, in comments to Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti, vowed to provide “an appropriate response” to the expulsions.
Hungary is a member of the European Union.
European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said Tuesday that “we take note of Hungary’s legitimate decision” to expel the Russian diplomats.
Wigand noted that the move was an expected response due to “Russia’s persistent campaign in using hybrid attacks against the EU and its member states.”
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Hungary is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), of which the U.S. is a founding member.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
