Hungary has acknowledged the expulsion of several staff members from its diplomatic missions in Russia, a move ordered by Moscow as retaliation for Hungary’s recent expulsion of Russian diplomats. The Hungarian government has emphasized that it does not wish to escalate bilateral tensions, according to EFE reports cited by Agerpres.
In a statement released late Thursday, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs remarked, “The government of Hungary takes note of Russia’s decision, which we view as a retaliatory measure.”
The ministry further stated, “Hungary has no interest in escalating diplomatic tensions,” referring to Russia’s announcement earlier that day regarding the expulsion of unspecified officials from the Hungarian embassy in Moscow and the consulates in Kazan and Saint Petersburg.
On October 1, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Gabor Gergics, Hungary’s charge d’affaires in the Russian Federation, as stated in a communication sent out on Thursday.
In addition to the expulsion of Hungarian diplomats, the statement noted that Gergics was presented with a “strong protest” concerning Hungary’s “unfounded” and “openly hostile” request on September 8, 2026, for ten Russian diplomats to leave the country.
Hungary’s Unprecedented Expulsions of Russian Diplomats
When announcing its decision on September 8, Budapest indicated that the expelled Russian staff had engaged in “unacceptable” activities, arguing that declaring them personae non gratae was necessary for “protecting the security and sovereignty” of Hungary, without severing diplomatic ties with Moscow.
Hungarian news portal Telex highlighted at the time that the scale of the expulsions was unprecedented for Budapest.
In its Thursday communication, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated this stance as being “based on national security considerations,” while assuring that the operation of its diplomatic missions in Russia would be “fully guaranteed.”
The government of Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who assumed office in May, has shifted the country’s foreign policy, distancing itself from the pro-Russian positions of the previous administration led by ultranationalist Viktor Orban.
