The key facts
- Russia expelled Hungarian diplomats in a mirror move: they left on October 14
- The conflict began in September with the expulsion of ten Russian diplomats by decision of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry
- At the same time, Budapest stated that it did not intend to break off diplomatic relations with Moscow
Moscow's mirror response
Russia has responded symmetrically to Budapest over the expulsion of Russian diplomats. As Russian Ambassador to Hungary Yevgeny Stanislavov told RIA Novosti in an interview, a group of staff from the Hungarian embassy in Moscow, as well as the consulates general in St. Petersburg and Kazan, left Russian territory on October 14. This was reported on November 6 by Life.ru and Gazeta.Ru citing the ambassador's interview.
How the conflict developed
The diplomatic dispute began in September, when Hungarian Foreign Minister Anitta Orban announced the expulsion of ten Russian diplomats. The Hungarian side explained its actions by the alleged activities of the Russians being incompatible with their diplomatic status, but stressed that the step did not mean a break in diplomatic relations and that Budapest hoped to maintain dialogue with Moscow. In response, on October 1 the Russian Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of a group of Hungarian staff; the ambassador's new statement confirms that this decision has been carried out.
Context: relations against the backdrop of Budapest's change of course
The publications come amid a broader cooling of bilateral relations. Gazeta.Ru cites the view of political scientist Gabor Stier, editor-in-chief of the moszkvater.com portal, who, in a conversation with Lenta.ru, believed that the Hungarian government led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar is deliberately souring relations with Russia, and urged not to expect normalization. Magyar himself, according to the outlet, stated that he would not become friends with Putin. Life.ru additionally notes that Budapest plans to completely abandon Russian gas by the autumn of 2027 and is studying alternative supply routes, including through Croatia and Greece. Thus, the expulsion of diplomats is a decision already carried out by both sides, while Hungary's energy plans remain a declared prospect.
