Hungary Expels 10 Russian Diplomats for ‘Unacceptable Activities’

By AFP and Reuters Sep. 8, 2026 The Russian Embassy in Budapest. Aled Betts (CC BY 2.0) Hungary expelled 10 Russian diplomats on Tuesday, saying they had acted in ways incompatible with their diplomatic status. Those kicked out "were engaged in activities in Hungary that are unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention," Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban said in an emailed statement on Tuesday. Hungary has "called on the individuals in question to leave" the country, Orban said. She added that the action "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," Orban said, without giving details of what the mission staffers had allegedly done. Russia's Foreign Ministry said it would retaliate for the expulsion of its diplomats. "The response to the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be harsh and painful," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the state-run news agency TASS. Hungary's former prime minister, Viktor Orban, who in April was voted out of office after 16 years in power, had maintained close ties with Russia and President Vladimir Putin following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since taking office in May, Hungary's new prime minister, Peter Magyar, has sought to mend ties with the EU and Ukraine that were tense under his predecessor. Read more about: Hungary , Diplomacy , Foreign Ministry Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia Summons Japanese Ambassador as Dispute Over Kuril Islands Flares Up Vladimir Putin’s first-ever visit to the disputed islands last week has prompted a diplomatic back-and-forth between Moscow and Tokyo. 2 Min read Italy Summons Russian Envoy After ‘Verbal Attacks’ on President Italy's Foreign Minister said he had summoned the Russian ambassador after the "umpteenth verbal attack" against Italian President Sergio Mattarella. 1 Min read Russia Closes Polish Consulate in Tit-for-Tat Move Moscow cited Poland’s “unfriendly” seizure in April of a high school building near Russia’s Embassy in Warsaw for the closure. 1 Min read Russia Says Britain Might Be Involved in Skripal Poisoning Russian Foreign Ministry demanded from London to prove British spies did not poison a former double agent, saying in the absence of such proof it would...