Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats citing security concerns

Hungary has ordered the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats to protect its “security and sovereignty,” the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Orbán announced Tuesday.

The decision comes several months after Russian investigative outlet Agentstvo reported that nearly one-third of the Russian embassy’s 47 staff members in Budapest have links to Russian intelligence.

Orbán — no relation to former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — said the diplomats “had engaged in activities in Hungary that are unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention,” the international treaty setting the principles of diplomatic relations.

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar also said the diplomats “have committed unacceptable activities in Hungary.” Neither he nor Orbán specified the nature of their allegations. The Hungarian foreign ministry declined to make further comments.

The move “does not imply breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia,” Orbán said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow’s response would be “harsh and painful,” according to Russian state news agency Interfax.

Magyar has sought to sever ties with Moscow since taking over from Viktor Orbán in May, a sharp shift from his predecessor’s coziness with the Kremlin.

In July, authorities opened an investigation into former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó over allegations that he shared sensitive information with Russian officials.

In August, Magyar’s government said Russia was “a threat to Hungary, Europe and the global order” in its instructions to Hungary’s delegation to the U.N. General Assembly.