Moscow vows ‘harsh and painful’ response to Hungarian expulsions

Moscow will deliver a “harsh and painful” response to Hungary’s expulsion of ten Russian diplomats, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned.

The remarks were in response to Budapest’s decision to expel ten members of Russia’s diplomatic mission over alleged activities deemed “unacceptable for diplomats” under the Vienna Convention.

“The response to the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be harsh and painful,” Zakharova said on Tuesday.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban announced the decision on Tuesday. She said the Russian ambassador had been informed that, “according to the assessment of the Hungarian authorities,” the diplomats had engaged in activities incompatible with their status.

Orban did not specify the alleged activities or say how long the diplomats had been given to leave. She said the decision was intended to protect Hungary’s “security and sovereignty,” while stressing that Budapest was not severing diplomatic ties with Moscow and intended to maintain dialogue.

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