Hungary allegedly expels two 'spies' working at Ukraine's embassy, Ukraine retaliates with own expulsions

Editor's note: This story was updated after Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced the expulsion of two Hungarian diplomats from Kyiv.

Hungary has allegedly expelled two "spies" working under diplomatic cover at Ukraine's embassy in Budapest, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on May 9 on Facebook.

In response to Szijjarto's statement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga said that Ukraine is expelling two Hungarian diplomats from Kyiv. They were given 48 hours to leave the country.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also summoned the Hungarian ambassador and handed him a note.

"We are acting in response to Hungary's actions, based on the principle of reciprocity and our national interests," Sybiha wrote on X.

Szijjarto's announcement came after Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast, detaining two agents accused of espionage against the Ukrainian state.

The operation's objectives reportedly included gathering intelligence on military defenses, identifying vulnerabilities in its ground and air defense systems, and assessing local residents' socio-political views, particularly scenarios of public reaction if Hungarian troops entered the region.

Szijjarto reacted to Kyiv's move, calling it "anti-Hungarian propaganda."

"The latest smear campaign against Hungarians is being launched for exactly the same reason as the previous ones. We Hungarians want peace, we say no to war, we have never supplied weapons to Ukraine, and we never will, and we have not allowed and will not allow ourselves to be dragged into this war, to drag Hungary into this war," Szijjarto said.

Szijjarto added that the Hungarian government will not tolerate "the constant launching of such defamatory actions against Hungary and the Hungarian people in Ukraine," as a reason for expelling the alleged "spies."

"We have handed over the decision and the note to this effect to the Ukrainian Ambassador in Budapest here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the last few minutes," the minister said.

The Kyiv Independent cannot immediately verify Szijjarto's claims.

Hungary maintains positive relations with Russia in contrast with other EU members. On March 26, Szijjarto visited Moscow to discuss continued economic cooperation between the two countries.

Hungary has also repeatedly opposed EU sanctions on Russia and opposed EU aid for Ukraine.