Hungary expels Russian diplomats; Moscow vows forceful retaliation

Hungary's government announced the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats, citing unspecified security concerns. The decision comes amid broader European tensions with Russia and represents a significant diplomatic action by the Hungarian administration.

In response, Russian officials signaled they would not accept the expulsions without consequence. A spokesperson for Moscow indicated that retaliation would be both harsh and painful, though specific countermeasures were not immediately detailed.

The expulsion of Russian diplomats reflects growing friction between Hungary and Russia at a time when Budapest faces increased pressure from Western allies over its perceived alignment with Moscow on various international issues. Diplomatic expulsions typically trigger retaliatory measures, setting the stage for further deterioration in bilateral relations.

Russia has a history of responding to such actions by ordering the expulsion of diplomats from the country in question, a tit-for-tat approach that has become commonplace in recent years as tensions between Moscow and Western nations have intensified. The specifics of Russia's planned response remained unclear as of reporting time.