Hungary expels 10 staff of Russian embassy in Budapest

Hungary is expelling 10 staff of the Russian embassy in Budapest for activities unacceptable as a diplomat under the Vienna Convention, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Anita Orbán said on Facebook on September 8.

“Today, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the ambassador of Russia in Budapest that, according to the assessment of the Hungarian authorities, 10 staff members of the Russian representation carried out an activity in Hungary that is unacceptable as a diplomat under the Vienna Convention,” Orbán said.

“Therefore, the Hungarian side has requested the parties involved to leave Hungary,” she said.

Orbán said that the decision protects Hungary’s security and sovereignty.

“This does not mean the termination of diplomatic relations with Russia,” Orbán said.

Hungary continues to wish to maintain the necessary dialogue, mutual respect, and compliance with the rules, she said.

(Photo of the Russian embassy in Budapest: Aled Betts, via Wikimedia Commons)