Hungary has said it has no intention of increasing diplomatic tensions with Russia, according to 新华网客户端. The statement came after Moscow announced it would expel Hungarian diplomats in a reciprocal move, a decision reported by 新浪财经.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the expulsions were a response to what it described as an "unfriendly" demand from Hungary, 搜狐网 reports. The Kremlin has warned that Hungary's "unfriendly steps" could damage economic relations between the two countries, according to Daily News Hungary. Reports carried by Vietnam.vn said several Hungarian diplomats were expelled, though the material available did not specify how many or when the expulsions would take effect.
The exchange marks a sharp turn in a relationship that Hungary has often sought to keep on practical terms, even as much of Europe has moved to isolate Moscow. Budapest's stated reluctance to escalate suggests it wants to contain the fallout rather than trade further measures. The Russian side, for its part, has framed its response as a direct reaction to Hungary's request and has tied the dispute to economic ties, a link that raises the stakes beyond the diplomatic channel.
What to watch next is whether the two sides step back from further expulsions or let the dispute spill into their economic relationship.
