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“Today, on my instructions, the relevant senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Russia’s ambassador to Budapest 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,” Orbán wrote.
“The Hungarian side has therefore instructed those concerned to leave Hungary. The decision protects Hungary’s security and sovereignty. It does not mean the severing of diplomatic relations with Russia. Hungary continues to intend to maintain the necessary dialogue, based on mutual respect and compliance with the rules,” she added.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow’s response to the expulsions would be “tough and painful for the Russophobe lobby in Budapest.”
Asked when the response could be expected, Zakharova said, “You will know” in due course.
András Rácz, deputy head of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, said the diplomatic wording of the foreign minister’s announcement suggested that the expelled Russian personnel were intelligence officers.
In an interview with state news agency MTI, Rácz said the phrase “activities incompatible with diplomatic status” traditionally referred to intelligence activities.
EU member states have expelled more than 600 Russian agents operating under diplomatic cover since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Rácz said.
“In that sense, Hungary is, in fact, joining its EU allies in their efforts to reduce the Russian Federation’s intelligence capabilities in EU and NATO countries,” he added.
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