Hungary has expelled 10 Russian diplomats, stating that they had engaged in activities incompatible with their status and had breached the Vienna Convention. Foreign Minister Anita Orbán explained the move as a measure to protect the country’s security and sovereignty. The Russian Ambassador to Budapest, Yevgeny Stanislavov, described it as unfriendly and announced that Moscow was preparing a response.
Briefly about the main points
- Budapest has expelled 10 members of the Russian diplomatic mission.
- Hungary cited a breach of the Vienna Convention.
- The authorities have not disclosed any details of the activities of the expelled diplomats.
- Diplomatic relations between Hungary and Russia are not being severed.
- Moscow has announced a response, but has not disclosed its content.
Budapest cited security and sovereignty
Anita Orban stated that the decision was intended to safeguard Hungary’s security and sovereignty. The authorities did not disclose any specific instances of breaches or the nature of the diplomats’ activities.
The expulsion does not mean a breakdown in diplomatic relations with Russia. The Vienna Convention enables the host country to declare a diplomat persona non grata at any time persona non grata without giving any reasons; at the same time, it obliges diplomats to respect the laws of the host country and not to interfere in its internal affairs.
This is the largest publicly announced expulsion of Russian diplomats from Hungary. In 2018, Budapest expelled one Russian diplomat as part of a joint response by the allies following the poisoning Sergei Skripal in the UK.
Moscow has announced a response; Kyiv has described the decision as timely
Yevhen Stanislavov described Hungary’s actions as an «unfriendly move» and stated that Moscow was preparing a response. A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova She also said that it would be «harsh and painful», but did not specify any particular measures.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiga described the decision as timely. According to him, reducing the number of Russian diplomats in the EU will help to minimise the risks of sabotage, disinformation and provocations.
Spokesperson for the European Commission Christian Wiegand, according to Reuters and AFP, described Hungary’s move as legitimate and announced that the situation would be further coordinated within the EU. As of 8 September, Moscow had not announced any specific decision in response.
