The ministry has informed the Russian ambassador to Hungary that according to Hungarian authorities, the diplomats' activities had been unacceptable under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Orban said.

Hungary has therefore called on them to leave the country, she added.

"The decision is protecting Hungary's security and sovereignty, and does not mean that diplomatic ties between the two countries have been severed," she said.

"Hungary wishes to maintain the necessary dialogue while preserving mutual respect and keeping to regulations," she added.

Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry's spokesperson, said the response to the expulsion would be "tough and painful for the Russophobe lobby in Budapest".

Asked when the response was to be expected, she said "you will know" in time.

Andras Racz, the deputy head of the Hungarian Foreign Affairs Institute, said the foreign minister's diplomatically worded announcement suggested that the Russian diplomats were actually secret agents.

In an interview with MTI, Racz said the phrasing "activities incompatible with a diplomat's status" traditionally meant intelligence activities.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, countries of the European Union have expelled over 600 Russian agents working under cover of diplomatic positions, Racz said. "In that sense … Hungary in fact joins its EU allies in their efforts to reduce the Russian Federations secret service capacities in EU and NATO countries," he said.

Russian spox pledges response to Hungary expulsion of Russian diplomats

Moscow will respond "in due course" to Hungary's decision to expel ten Russian diplomats from the country earlier this month, Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry's spokesperson, said in Yekaterinburg.

"There will definitely be a response. At present, I cannot specify which exact parameter it will affect, as this is subject to our internal inter-ministerial decision," she said. "The relevant authorities are currently working on the issue and will publish the decision once it is finalised."

"Unfortunately, as you understand, the Budapest decision contains nothing constructive. But since they have chosen this path, we must respond accordingly," she added.

Foreign Minister Anita Orban announced on September 8 that according to Hungarian authorities, the activities of ten Russian diplomats had been unacceptable under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Hungary has therefore called on them to leave the country, she added.

The next day, Kreml spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Hungary's "unfriendly steps" would harm bilateral ties. "We remain open to further developing Russian-Hungarian bilateral ties. We have an interest in that, and we have no intention to harm the, let's say, valuable heritage and experiences of Hungarian-Russian ties," he said.

RIA Novosti reported on Tuesday that Budapest announced its intention to maintain pragmatic relations with Russia following the change in government. According to the news agency, Prime Minister Peter Magyar emphasised the importance of cooperation in the delivery of energy carriers.

"However, his pro-European direction differs from that of Viktor Orban, who actively opposed sanctions against Russia and maintained close economic ties with Moscow," the news agency said.

Magyar: Hungary 'won't tolerate anyone jeopardising its sovereignty'

"We will not tolerate that anybody should jeopardise the sovereignty of Hungary," the prime minister said in parliament on Tuesday, commenting on the government's decision to expel 10 Russian diplomats from the country.

Peter Magyar quoted Foreign Minister Anita Orban as saying earlier in the day that the diplomats had conducted "activities that are unacceptable of diplomats under the Vienna Convention."

"As opposed to the previous government, the Tisza government ... will not tolerate anyone jeopardising Hungary's sovereignty, freedom, or independence, and will protect the country's independence and sovereignty by way of diplomatic means if necessary," he said.

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

MTI photo 

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