Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats, Moscow promises harsh response

September 8, 2026 at 08:40 PM2 min

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Hungary ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave the country on Tuesday, accusing them of activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. Russia promised a 'harsh and painful' response through Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. The EU called the expulsion a legitimate decision even as Hungary maintained it is not breaking diplomatic relations with Russia.

Key Facts

Hungary ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave, accusing them of 'unacceptable' activities incompatible with diplomatic status.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Anita Orban said the decision protects Hungary's security and sovereignty but does not break diplomatic relations with Russia.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova promised a 'harsh and painful' response to TASS.
EU spokesman Christian Wigand called Hungary's expulsion a 'legitimate decision' and said the EU will continue to closely coordinate.

Expulsion Order

Hungary ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave the country on Tuesday. The government accused them of 'unacceptable' activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Anita Orban said the move protects 'Hungary's security and sovereignty'. She added that the decision does not mean Hungary is 'breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia'.

Russian Response

Russia promised a 'harsh and painful' response, according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. Zakharova made the statement to Russia's TASS news agency. Hungary was one of the few EU allies to maintain warm relations with Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who lost elections last April after 16 years in power, reportedly told Russian President Vladimir Putin 'I am at your service' during a phone call last year.

EU Coordination

EU spokesman Christian Wigand told journalists that Hungary took a 'legitimate decision'. He added that the EU 'will continue to closely coordinate' the situation. Many EU member states expelled Russian diplomats following Moscow's all-out war on Ukraine, but Hungary had not done so until now.