In the heart of Budapest, a former Ukrainian diplomat was detained and immediately deported to Kyiv
On Monday, May 9, the Hungarian capital became the scene of unexpected events, which garnered widespread attention in diplomatic circles and the media. State security agencies detained a Ukrainian citizen whose career as an official representative of Ukraine in Hungary had long ended outside of diplomatic status. This information was confirmed by official sources, including the Hungarian government’s website, as well as international and Ukrainian media outlets. According to publicly available data, the operation took place in the late evening of May 9 in central Budapest. Reports from the Hungarian government indicate that anti-terrorism officers conducted the detention of a Ukrainian citizen who had previously worked in the diplomatic sphere but was no longer performing his duties under diplomatic status. Government officials emphasized that the man was detained based on well-founded suspicions of espionage activities and other security measures authorized by law. The government stated that a visa and residence ban had been issued by the National Immigration Authority. During the evening, he was deported to Kyiv — given the potential threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty, authorities deemed it necessary to swiftly remove him from Hungarian territory. Official comments highlighted that the former diplomat was not only operating under diplomatic cover but also, considering the nature of the suspicions, his activities could have been harmful to Hungary’s sovereignty. Overall, this detention served as a signal to a wide range of observers and experts, particularly amid recent intense discussions in Central European countries regarding Russian and Hungarian intelligence agencies and their influence on regional security processes. Moreover, analysts point out that this incident fits into a broader pattern of escalating diplomatic tensions between Ukraine and Hungary, arising from a number of political and security issues. According to Telex, the detainee previously worked at the Ukrainian embassy in Budapest during the 2010s, but his diplomatic status was eventually terminated. It is also known that his wife is a co-owner of a popular Ukrainian cuisine restaurant in the capital. After his detention, he was immediately expelled from Hungary’s official territory and is now in Kyiv. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the situation rather cautiously but emphasized the importance of respecting international laws and principles. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Georgiy Tykhy, commented on social media: “Regarding the detention of a Ukrainian citizen in Budapest. When evidence runs out, witch hunts begin. Hungarian authorities should stop this foolish anti-Ukrainian hysteria already.” This statement reflects Kyiv’s disagreement with the recent actions of Hungarian security services and hints at the overall trend of rising tensions between the two countries. The background of this incident traces back to a series of diplomatic and information conflicts. On May 5, the Ukrainian Security Service announced that it had uncovered a network of Hungarian intelligence agents allegedly engaging in espionage activities in the Zakarpattia region — an area with a special status and historical ties to Hungary. According to Ukrainian reports, these agencies were reportedly listening in on local inhabitants’ sentiments and researching the possibility of deploying Hungarian military units in the region. Following this announcement, Hungarian officials initially denied any involvement, claiming that Kyiv was spreading false information to fuel anti-Ukrainian and anti-Hungarian propaganda. However, within hours, Budapest took further action by issuing an official note declaring the expulsion of two Ukrainian diplomats suspected of espionage. The Hungarian Ministry of Interior stated these individuals were allegedly involved in gathering intelligence and attempting to interfere in Hungary’s internal affairs. Amidst this confrontation with Ukraine, Hungarian authorities claim that Kyiv’s official statement about exposing a spy network results from close cooperation with political opponents of the Hungarian government, particularly the opposition party “Tisa.” In response, Ukraine did not hold back — on the night of May 9, Ukrainian diplomatic missions announced the expulsion of two Hungarian diplomats from the country. They are required to leave Ukraine within 48 hours, significantly complicating diplomatic relations ahead of an important date — Victory Day and national celebrations in both countries. This incident marks another milestone in the ongoing, tense diplomatic standoff between Ukraine and Hungary, which has been unfolding since early 2023. Its consequences could notably impact bilateral relations, as well as broader regional security and cooperation within the European Union and NATO. As before, both countries continue to navigate diplomatic maneuvers and displays of strength, remaining under the scrutiny of international observers.