Ukraine expels two Hungarian diplomats in response to Budapest's actions

This was reported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) via its official Telegram channel.

Ukraine is expelling the two Hungarian diplomats in a reciprocal move. They must leave the country within 48 hours.

According to the statement, the Hungarian ambassador was summoned to the MFA of Ukraine and handed a corresponding note.

“We are acting in response to Hungary’s actions, based on the principle of reciprocity and our national interests,” Sybiha emphasized.

Hungary expels Ukrainian diplomats

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukrainian diplomats of espionage.

“Today we expelled two spies who had been working under diplomatic cover at the Ukrainian embassy in Budapest,” he said.

According to him, Hungary’s MFA delivered a notice of expulsion to Ukraine’s ambassador.
The Ukrainian embassy has not yet commented on the statement.

Background

For the first time in its history, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) uncovered a spy network operated by Hungarian military intelligence conducting espionage against Ukraine.

The agents were active in Zakarpattia region, bordering Hungary. Their tasks included identifying vulnerabilities in military infrastructure, gauging local reactions to a potential Hungarian military presence, and recruiting informants.

One detainee is a former serviceman recruited in 2021; the other is a former servicewoman who passed information on aviation and defense systems. The SBU identified their curator as a career officer in Hungarian intelligence.

Later, the two individuals suspected of spying for Hungary were arrested without the right to bail.