The Kremlin threatens an “appropriate response” after Hungary expelled ten Russian diplomats, but says it wants to maintain dialogue

Moscow announced on Wednesday that it would provide an “appropriate response” following Hungary’s decision to expel ten Russian diplomats from the embassy in Budapest, warning that the measure would have consequences for bilateral relations. Moscow nevertheless maintains that it remains open to dialogue with the Hungarian government.

The spokesperson for the Russian presidency, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Hungary’s actions “will not go unpunished.” He warned that the expulsion of the diplomats would have negative effects on the overall relationship between the two states, without specifying for now what measures Russia would take.

At the same time, Peskov said that Moscow did not want to jeopardize the “valuable baggage and legacy” of Russian-Hungarian relations and that it remained willing to develop ties with Budapest. Russia and Hungary maintained close relations during the extended period in which the Hungarian government was led by Viktor Orban.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban announced on Tuesday the expulsion of the ten diplomats, who were accused of carrying out activities “unacceptable for their diplomatic status.” She justified the decision by citing the need to protect Hungary’s security and sovereignty and specified that the measure did not represent a break in diplomatic relations with Russia.