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Hungary Expels 10 Russian Diplomats Over Espionage Concerns

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 1:23 PM UTC · How we work

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Hungary Expels Diplomats

On 8 September 2026, Hungary ordered ten Russian diplomats to leave Budapest.
The Peter Magyar government is shifting away from Viktor Orbán’s Russia ties toward stronger EU and NATO alignment.
Hungarian officials say the expulsions protect national security and sovereignty while diplomatic relations stay open.
These are the first public removals of Russian diplomats by Hungary since 2018.
Russia’s foreign ministry warned its response would be harsh and painful.

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Hungary Expels Diplomats

On 8 September 2026, Hungary ordered ten Russian diplomats to leave the capital, Budapest.
The expulsions are presented as a crackdown on Russian espionage that threatens Hungary’s democratic and civil institutions.
Foreign Minister Anita Orban announced on Facebook that the diplomats violated the Vienna Convention.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called expulsions timely and sensible, saying they boost Hungary’s security.

History

Historical Context

After a 1997 referendum approved by 85% of voters, Hungary entered NATO on 12 March 1999, shifting its defence toward Western alliances. The 1999 accession marked the alliance’s post-Cold-War expansion to Central Europe. On 8 September 2026, Hungary’s foreign ministry expelled ten Russian diplomats in Budapest, reinforcing the NATO-aligned stance set two decades earlier in its Western-oriented policy.

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Hungary Expels Diplomats

On 8 September 2026, Hungary ordered ten Russian diplomats to leave Budapest.
The Peter Magyar government is shifting away from Viktor Orbán’s Russia ties toward stronger EU and NATO alignment.
Hungarian officials say the expulsions protect national security and sovereignty while diplomatic relations stay open.
These are the first public removals of Russian diplomats by Hungary since 2018.
Russia’s foreign ministry warned its response would be harsh and painful.

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