Ukrainian diplomat apprehended and expelled from Budapest, Hungary's capital city
In the bustling heart of Budapest, May 9 saw a dramatic turn of events. Hungarian authorities apprehended a Ukrainian citizen, a former diplomat, and subsequently booted him out of the country.
The Hungarian government, ever eager to maintain national security, made a splash on their website and social media by publishing a video of the arrest. The individual was banned from entering and residing in Hungary due to alleged espionage activities. After a thorough investigation, this middle-aged Ukraine native was shipped back to Kyiv in the wee hours of the night, as his actions posed a substantial threat to Hungary's sovereignty. Interestingly, this guy had previously worked under diplomatic cover, but his days as a diplomat had long since expired.
His wife still co-owns a Ukrainian restaurant in Budapest, adding a peculiar twist to the tale. According to Telex, the espionage suspect had been AWOL from Hungary's diplomatic circle for some time.
As Ukraine's Security Service had earlier announced the exposure of a spy network of Hungary's military intelligence operating in Zakarpattia, things between the two countries were already simmering. The spies were reportedly testing the waters regarding local residents' sentiments and their response to the potential deployment of so-called "Hungarian peacekeepers" in the region.
Following the arrest, Ukrainian MFA spokesperson, Georgiy Tihipko, took to social media to express his disapproval. He suggested that the Hungarian authorities should call off their anti-Ukrainian witch hunt, claiming that there was a lack of evidence to support their allegations.
In the political chess game that ensued, Ukraine retaliated by expelling two Hungarian diplomats, while Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats in response. This diplomatic duel saw both sides accusing each other of espionage. In addition, Hungarian officials asserted that Ukraine's exposure of their spy network smacked of cooperation with the opposition party "Tisza."
All in all, this incident showcases a complex, ongoing battle between Hungary and Ukraine, marked by accusations of espionage, political posturing, and expulsions of diplomats—a cat-and-mouse game that's far from over.
- The arrest video, featuring the Hungarian authorities apprehending the Ukrainian diplomat accused of espionage, garnered widespread attention under the 'general-news' and 'crime-and-justice' sections of various news outlets.
- Amidst the intensifying war-and-conflicts brewing between Hungary and Ukraine, the Hungarian government used this arrest incident to propagate a strong anti-Ukrainian stance.
- In 2025, Hungarian officials, accusing the Ukrainian government of cooperating with the opposition party "Tisza," expelled two Ukrainian diplomats in a move seen as part of their ongoing struggle.
- The expulsions of diplomats on both sides and the continuous allegations of espionage have further strained the political relations between Hungary and Ukraine, adding to the tumultuous general-news headlines.
- Despite the dramatic events unfolding in Budapest, the wife of the arrested Ukrainian diplomat—still co-owning a popular Hungarian-Ukrainian restaurant—remained a quiet figure amidst the whirlwind of crime-and-justice and politics.
