Tensions escalate: Ukraine expels two Hungarian diplomats

Diplomatic tensions between Hungary and Ukraine escalated this week, as Kyiv announced the expulsion of two Hungarian diplomats in response to Budapest’s earlier move against Ukrainian officials.

Ukraine expels Hungarian diplomats

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed the expulsion on Friday via social media, stating that the two Hungarian diplomats were given 48 hours to leave the country. He added that the Hungarian ambassador to Ukraine had been summoned and handed a formal note regarding the decision. “We are acting in response to Hungary’s actions, based on the principle of reciprocity and our national interests,” Sybiha posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Two Hungarian diplomats must leave our country within 48 hours. We have just summoned Hungarian Ambassador to @MFA_Ukraine and presented him with the relevant note. We are acting in response to Hungary’s actions, based on the principle of reciprocity and our national interests.

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) May 9, 2025

Retaliatory move

The retaliatory move came shortly after Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó declared two Ukrainian diplomats persona non grata. Szijjártó’s decision followed an announcement by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), which claimed to have dismantled a Hungarian-run spy network operating on Ukrainian soil. According to the SBU, the network was allegedly gathering intelligence on Ukraine’s defence capabilities, including anti-aircraft positions in the western Transcarpathia region.