The Kremlin is facing a new diplomatic challenge following Hungary's recent decision to expel ten Russian diplomats. This move has heightened tensions between the two nations, with Moscow vowing to respond "painfully" to the expulsion.

Hungary's Minister of Economic Development and Energy, István Kapitány, revealed in an interview that the country aims to ensure its gas supply without reliance on Russia by October 2027. This ambitious plan marks a significant step for Budapest as it seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, which has been the most economically viable option until now.

The announcement came shortly after Hungary's Foreign Minister, Anita Orbán, declared the expulsion of the Russian diplomats, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow. The Kremlin's response has been swift, with Russian officials stating that they are currently evaluating measures to retaliate against Hungary's actions.

Kapitány explained that Hungary has the technical capacity to source gas from various alternative routes, which could mitigate the impact of losing Russian supplies. Previously, Hungary imported around 7.8 billion cubic meters of Russian gas in 2025, a decrease from 8.6 billion cubic meters the previous year. Experts suggest that while Hungary's exit from Russian gas could create a shock, it will not severely impact the Russian economy, as Hungary represents only a small fraction of Russia's total gas exports.

Additionally, Hungary is exploring alternative oil supplies and has begun negotiations with Croatia to maximize the capacity of the Adriatic oil pipeline. Kapitány noted that relations with Croatia have improved significantly compared to previous administrations.

In light of these developments, Russian officials have warned that Hungary's actions will inevitably affect bilateral relations. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, confirmed that Moscow would respond to the expulsion of its diplomats, although the specifics of the response are still under consideration.

Experts speculate that Moscow's immediate reaction may involve diplomatic measures, potentially expelling an equivalent number of Hungarian diplomats. However, the Kremlin has not yet outlined specific countermeasures regarding Hungary's plans to reduce its dependency on Russian energy supplies.

As Hungary moves forward with its energy diversification strategy, it is also seeking compensation from the European Union for countries in Central Europe that must abandon Russian oil and gas. Prime Minister Péter Magyar has called for concrete proposals in the EU's seven-year budget to support businesses transitioning away from Russian energy.

Overall, the situation remains fluid as both Hungary and Russia navigate the complexities of their evolving relationship amidst broader geopolitical tensions.