Russia expels Hungarian diplomats after Budapest expelled 10 Russians
Russia's Foreign Ministry said on 1 October it will expel a group of Hungarian diplomats within two weeks, retaliating for Hungary's September expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats. Hungary said it does not want escalation.
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The story, neutrally told
Russia said on Thursday 1 October that it is expelling a group of Hungarian diplomats in retaliation for Hungary's expulsion of Russian diplomats last month. Anadolu AgencyN “Russia said Thursday that it had expelled a group of diplomats from Hungary’s diplomatic missions in the country in a tit-for-tat response.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ The Straits TimesRC “Russia will expel an unspecified number of Hungarian diplomats in a retaliatory move” Read at The Straits Times ↗ The Russian Foreign Ministry said staff from the Hungarian embassy in Moscow and the consulates in St Petersburg and Kazan must leave within two weeks; no number was given. The Straits TimesRC “a group of staff members from the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow and the Hungarian Consulates General in St Petersburg and Kazan must leave the territory of the Russian Federation within two weeks” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Moscow summoned Hungary's chargé d'affaires and lodged what it called a strong protest over Budapest's "unfounded and openly unfriendly" demand of 8 September. Anadolu AgencyN “A strong protest was lodged with the head of the diplomatic mission regarding the Hungarian authorities’ unfounded and openly unfriendly demand” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
On 8 September Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban announced the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats, saying they had engaged in activities unacceptable under the Vienna Convention. Anadolu AgencyN “Budapest had expelled 10 Russian diplomats, saying they had “engaged in activities in Hungary that are unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention.”” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ She said the move protected Hungary's security and sovereignty and did not mean cutting ties, and the Kremlin had promised an "adequate" response. Anadolu AgencyN “the decision did not mean cutting diplomatic ties with Moscow and that Hungary would maintain dialogue with Russia.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Hungary's Foreign Ministry acknowledged Russia's decision and said Hungary is not interested in an escalation of diplomatic tension. The Straits TimesRC “"Hungary is not interested in an escalation of diplomatic tension."” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Reuters, carried by the Straits Times, set the dispute in the context of Hungary's political change: Viktor Orban lost power in April after 16 years, and Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government stresses the EU and NATO. The Straits TimesRC “Orban, who lost power in April after 16 years in office, had kept close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Anadolu reports the expulsion as a tit-for-tat step, leading with Russia's protest and the summoning of Hungary's chargé d'affaires.
- Emphasis
- Russian Foreign Ministry wording and the Kremlin's earlier promise of an 'adequate' response, plus Anita Orban's statement.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not include Hungary's reaction to the Russian move or the domestic political background.
- Charged language
- “tit-for-tat”“unfriendly”
- For example
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“Moscow would implement an “adequate” response concerning the move, stating that it will have a negative impact on the whole range of bilateral relations.” — Anadolu Agency
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Reuters copy carried by the Straits Times frames the expulsion within Hungary's shift away from Viktor Orban's pro-Russian line.
- Emphasis
- Hungary's response and the political context of the Magyar government.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the summoning of the chargé d'affaires or the Kremlin's earlier warning.
- Charged language
- “tit-for-tat”“code for spying”“pro-Russian era”
- For example
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“wording often used as code for spying” — The Straits Times
What every side reports
- Russia is expelling Hungarian diplomats in retaliation for Hungary's September expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats.
- The Hungarian staff must leave within two weeks.
- The affected missions are the Moscow embassy and the St Petersburg and Kazan consulates.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Hungary's expulsions were justified
- Centre
- Anadolu relays Russia's view that the demand was unfounded and unfriendly, alongside Hungary's Vienna Convention explanation.
- Right
- Reuters via the Straits Times notes the wording Hungary used is often code for spying and calls the move a signal that the pro-Russian era is over.
Russia place
Russia calls Hungary's September expulsions unfounded and unfriendly, and says its move is a reciprocal measure.
“As a reciprocal measure, a group of staff members” — The Straits Times
Hungary place
Hungary says its expulsions protected security and sovereignty, and that it wants dialogue and no escalation.
“Hungary is not interested in an escalation of diplomatic tension.” — The Straits Times
Middle East1 outlet
Anadolu focuses on the diplomatic exchange and official statements from both governments.
“Hungary’s charge d’affaires in Russia was summoned and informed of the decision” — Anadolu Agency
Anadolu Agency
East and Southeast Asia1 outlet
The Straits Times, running Reuters, places the expulsions in Hungary's change of government.
“New Prime Minister Peter Magyar and his centre-right government have repeatedly said” — The Straits Times
The Straits Times
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Moscow expels group of Hungarian diplomats in tit-for-tat move
Neutral Straight report of the Russian statement with background on Hungary's September announcement.
Right1 article
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The Straits TimesRC · · via Reuters
Russia expels Hungarian diplomats in tit-for-tat move
Neutral Reuters wire copy adding Hungarian reaction and the post-Orban political context.
- 1 Oct 11:51 First Anadolu AgencyN Moscow expels group of Hungarian diplomats in tit-for-tat move
- 1 Oct 11:58 +7m The Straits TimesRC Russia expels Hungarian diplomats in tit-for-tat move via Reuters
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.