Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Russia Expels Hungarian Diplomats in Retaliatory Move After Earlier Ousters
Russia and Hungary are having a disagreement involving their diplomats.
Russia ordered some Hungarian diplomats to leave the country.
This happened after Hungary expelled 10 Russian diplomats the previous month.
Hungary said the Russian diplomats had acted inappropriately for their jobs.
Such wording is often used to suggest spying.
Hungary’s Foreign Ministry said it did not want the disagreement to become worse.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s government says Hungary is focusing on the European Union and NATO.
The moves mark a change from Viktor Orban’s close relationship with Russia.
Russia ordered an unspecified number of Hungarian diplomats to leave within two weeks.
The expulsions followed Hungary’s removal of 10 Russian diplomats last month.
Hungary accused the Russian diplomats of conduct incompatible with their official status.
Hungary said it was not interested in escalating diplomatic tensions.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s government says Hungary’s main alliances are the European Union and NATO.
- Who
- Russia and Hungary, including their foreign ministries and diplomats.
- What
- Russia ordered an unspecified number of Hungarian diplomats to leave in retaliation for Hungary expelling 10 Russian diplomats.
- When
- Russia announced the expulsions on Thursday, October 1, after Hungary’s move the previous month.
- Where
- The affected Hungarian personnel are based at Hungary’s embassy in Moscow and consulates in St Petersburg and Kazan.
- Why
- Russia described its action as reciprocal after Hungary accused Russian diplomats of conduct incompatible with their status.
Hungarian Position
Russian Position
Diplomatic expulsions
Hungarian Position
Hungary expelled 10 Russian diplomats after accusing them of acting incompatibly with their official status, and said it did not want further escalation.
Russian Position
Russia presented its expulsion of Hungarian diplomats as a reciprocal response to Hungary’s earlier action.
Hungary’s foreign-policy direction
Hungarian Position
Peter Magyar’s government says Hungary is rebuilding trust and prioritizing its alliances with the European Union and NATO.
Russian Position
Russia’s retaliatory move reflects a continuing diplomatic dispute following Hungary’s shift away from its previous close relationship with Russia.
- Russian action
- An unspecified number of Hungarian diplomats must leave Russia within two weeks.
- Earlier Hungarian action
- Hungary expelled 10 Russian diplomats the previous month.
- Hungarian response
- Hungary said it acknowledged Russia’s decision and was not interested in escalating diplomatic tension.
- Affected locations
- Hungary’s embassy in Moscow and consulates general in St Petersburg and Kazan.
- Reported implication
- The diplomats’ alleged conduct was described in wording often used as code for spying.
- Hungary’s alliances
- Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s government identifies the European Union and NATO as Hungary’s main alliances.