Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats, Moscow promises harsh response

By AFP and Reuters. Published On 8 Sep 20268 Sep 2026.

Key points

• Former Prime Minister Viktor Orban (not related to current Deputy Prime Minister Anita Orban).
• Hungary was one of the few European Union allies to Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
• Russia promised a "harsh and painful" response, the country's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova informed Russia's TASS news agency.
• Plenty of EU member states expelled Russian diplomats after Moscow's all-out war on Ukraine, but Hungary was not one of them until now.
• Hungary has ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave the country, accusing them of "unacceptable" activities that it notes are incompatible with their diplomatic status.

Anita Orban, Hungary's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, remarked on Tuesday that the decision to protect "Hungary's security and sovereignty" does not mean the country is "breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia".

Hungary was one of the few European Union allies to Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Under the previous administration, Budapest's relations with Moscow were warm.

Former Prime Minister Viktor Orban (not related to current Deputy Prime Minister Anita Orban). This person lost the elections last April after 16 years in power, reportedly informed Russian President Vladimir Putin: "I am at your service" during last year's phone call.

Hungary took a "legitimate decision", EU spokesman Christian Wigand informed journalists, adding that the EU "will continue to closely coordinate" the situation.

Taken together, the developments around hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats, Moscow promises harsh response point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.