Russia threatens Hungary with "harsh response" over expulsion of Russian diplomats

Russia has reacted to Hungary's expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats by threatening a "harsh and painful" response.

"Russia will respond to the expulsion of the 10 diplomats," the Russian Foreign Ministry commented to Kremlin-aligned news agency TASS.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also said that "the response to the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be harsh and painful".

This was Russia's response to Hungary's decision to expel 10 members of staff of the Russian Embassy in Budapest.

On 8 September, Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán reported that 10 members of the Russian diplomatic mission in Hungary had engaged in activities that were "unacceptable for diplomats" under the Vienna Convention and would therefore be expelled from the country.

Orbán stressed, however, that the decision does not mean Hungary is severing diplomatic relations with Russia.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar said that in taking this step, Hungary was defending its sovereignty.

In May, Hungary quietly expelled a Russian intelligence officer who, operating under diplomatic cover, had infiltrated think tanks close to the government of former prime minister Viktor Orbán.