Viktor Orban, who last year told Vladimir Putin, “I am at your service,” lost this year’s election, ending his reign of 16 years as Hungary’s Prime Minister. And with his departure went Putin’s easy access to confidential EU information.

This week, under Hungary’s current Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, ten Russian diplomats were ordered to leave the country after being accused of “unacceptable” activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Anita Orban (no relation to Viktor Orban) said that the decision to protect “Hungary’s security and sovereignty” does not mean they are “breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia.” [AP and Reuters, September 8, 2026.]

However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS news agency that Hungary could expect a “harsh and painful” response . . . but did not specify what form that response might take. [Id.]

Meanwhile, EU spokesman Christian Wigand said that Hungary’s decision was legitimate, and that the EU “will continue to closely coordinate” the situation. [Id.]

Gone are the days when Viktor Orban, after attending sensitive EU meetings on behalf of the Hungarian government, would then report directly to his friend Putin. And gone also are the days when Russian agents could operate freely on Hungarian territory.

I fondly recall my visit to Budapest for a conference on doing business in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union in 1990, just a year after Hungary had broken with its communist masters. It was a time of great change and great optimism as the country regained its sovereignty and rejoined the democratic West.

In recent years, I have watched with dismay as the Hungarian government, led by Viktor Orban, moved further and further into the sphere of Putin’s Russia. So it is with great relief and joy that I now view this turn in the opposite direction.

Welcome back, Hungary. I’m sure your fellow EU and NATO members feel the same.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/10/26