Moscow Threatens Retaliation Over Hungary’s Expulsion of 10 Russian Diplomats

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Moscow has issued a stern warning of retaliatory measures following the expulsion of ten Russian diplomats from Hungary. Budapest accused the diplomats of engaging in activities that contravened their diplomatic status.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that Moscow’s response to the expulsion would be “tough and painful.” Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, told the state-run TASS news agency, “The response to the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be tough and painful.”

The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs had claimed on Monday that the ten Russian diplomats were expelled due to activities incompatible with their diplomatic roles. He stated that the decision was made to protect Hungary’s security and sovereignty, and it does not signify a severance of diplomatic ties with Moscow. Budapest indicated a continued willingness to engage in dialogue with Russia.

This latest expulsion follows a previous incident in May where a Russian diplomat was removed from Hungary on charges of espionage. Also in May, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador in response to Russian drone attacks targeting the Zakarpattia region in western Ukraine, an area with a significant ethnic Hungarian population.