The diplomatic institution summoned Hungary’s Charge d’Affaires in Russia, Gabor Gergics, over the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats from Hungary.

The release states, “The Hungarian diplomat was informed that, in a retaliatory move, a group of employees from the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow and the Hungarian consulates general in St. Petersburg and Kazan must leave the territory of the Russian Federation within two weeks.”

Gergics lodged “a decisive protest over the unfounded and openly hostile demand by Hungarian authorities” for several Russian diplomatic staff members to leave the country.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban announced the expulsion of 10 employees from the Russian Embassy in Budapest, citing “activities incompatible with the diplomatic status established by the Vienna Convention,” without disclosing further details.

As Orban explained, the decision does not signify severing diplomatic relations with Russia.

Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov vowed the following day that Hungary’s decision would not go unanswered.

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