Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán announced that Budapest has expelled 10 Russian diplomats who “engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status under the Vienna Convention.”
She announced the decision on X.
“Acting on my instructions, on Tuesday the relevant official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Russian ambassador to Hungary that, according to the assessment of the Hungarian authorities, 10 members of the Russian mission had engaged in activities in Hungary that are unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention,” Orbán wrote.
She said the Hungarian authorities had therefore asked the individuals concerned to leave Hungary.
Orbán did not provide details about the activities in question.
She stressed that the decision was intended to protect Hungary’s security and sovereignty.
“It does not imply breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia. Hungary intends to continue the necessary dialogue, based on mutual respect and adherence to the rules,” the Hungarian foreign minister said.
The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations sets out the rules governing diplomatic activities, including diplomats’ rights, obligations and the limits of permissible conduct in the host country. Diplomats are required to respect the laws of the host state and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.
