Hungary has ordered the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats, signaling a significant shift in the country’s foreign policy following the defeat of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known for his Russia-friendly stance. The decision was announced on Tuesday by Hungary’s new Foreign Minister, Anita Orban, who cited activities by the diplomats that violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which prohibits interference in the internal affairs of the host country.
The expulsions mark a departure from the previous government’s approach. During Orban’s 16-year tenure, Russian diplomatic presence in Hungary was viewed by opposition parties and media as deeply involved in espionage and disinformation activities supporting the ruling Fidesz party. Investigative reports detailed Russian intelligence operations carried out from the Russian embassy in Budapest, but Orban’s administration largely ignored these allegations, even initiating legal action against journalists reporting on the matter.
The political change came after the April elections, in which Orban and Fidesz suffered a decisive defeat to a new party led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who took office in May. The election was characterized by strong anti-Russian sentiment, with demonstrators in Budapest chanting slogans reminiscent of Hungary’s 1956 uprising against Soviet forces. Magyar’s government has sought to distance itself from Moscow, aiming to strengthen ties with the European Union and NATO.
Foreign Minister Anita Orban said the expulsions were intended to safeguard Hungary’s security and sovereignty but emphasized that it did not mean severing diplomatic relations with Russia. She affirmed Hungary’s intent to maintain dialogue based on mutual respect and adherence to diplomatic norms.
The move coincides with heightened tensions along NATO’s eastern flank, where several sabotage incidents have raised concerns about Russian covert operations. Shortly after Hungary’s announcement, Romania disclosed it had thwarted a planned sabotage operation and detained a Russian national connected to the scheme.
Russian authorities condemned the expulsions, accusing Hungary of “Russophobia” and vowing a punitive response. Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry, warned of a “harsh and painful” retaliation. Analysts predict Russia will likely respond with reciprocal expulsions of Hungarian diplomats but are not expected to escalate the situation further.
Observers noted that Hungary’s decision may reflect a broader alignment with European partners, shedding its previous image as a Russian “Trojan horse” within the European Union. Experts suggest the expulsions were long overdue, as Hungary’s counterintelligence services had previously recommended such actions during Orban’s administration but were ignored to avoid upsetting Moscow.
Energy considerations remain a challenge for the new government, as Hungary continues to rely heavily on Russian gas and oil supplies. A recent heat wave also strained the country's only nuclear power plant, further complicating energy management. Despite these challenges, the current administration under Magyar aims to recalibrate Hungary’s foreign relations and restore confidence among its European allies.