Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats, Moscow promises harsh response

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Published: 2026-09-08T19:00:55.116Z • Permanent link

Hungary Expels 10 Russian Diplomats, Moscow Promises Harsh Response

Hungary's government announced on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, that it has expelled 10 Russian diplomats from the country, citing their alleged involvement in espionage activities. The move comes amid rising tensions between Budapest and Moscow, with both sides trading accusations of spying and interference. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szilágyi said the expulsion was a response to "irreconcilable differences" between the two countries, and that the expelled diplomats would no longer be able to carry out their duties.

The expulsion of the Russian diplomats marks a significant escalation in the deteriorating relations between Hungary and Russia. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has long been a vocal critic of NATO and the European Union, and has sought to maintain good relations with Russia despite Western sanctions. However, in recent months, Budapest has taken a tougher stance on Russia, imposing its own sanctions and expelling Russian diplomats from various institutions. Moscow, in turn, has accused Hungary of "provoking" tensions with its own "anti-Russian" policies.

The expulsion of the Russian diplomats has sparked a heated response from Moscow, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warning that Budapest would "regret" its decision. Lavrov said that the expulsion was an "unacceptable" act that would "harm" Hungary's relations with Russia, and that Moscow would take "all necessary measures" to protect its interests. The move has also sparked concern among European diplomats, who fear that Hungary's expulsion of Russian diplomats could set a precedent for other countries to follow.

The expulsion of Russian diplomats from Hungary has significant implications for the AI & Tech Ecosystems domain. Many tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, have significant operations in Hungary, and the country's expulsion of Russian diplomats could impact their ability to operate in the region. Research communities, including those focused on AI and machine learning, may also be affected, as many of these communities rely on international collaborations and exchanges.

The expulsion of Russian diplomats could also have a broader impact on the global tech landscape, particularly in the context of the ongoing tensions between the US and Russia. The US has imposed significant sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine, and has warned of further measures if Moscow continues to escalate its aggression. The expulsion of Hungarian Russian diplomats could be seen as a sign that the US is willing to take a tougher stance on Russia, and could impact the global tech landscape in the months and years to come.