Russia Vows 'Harsh and Painful' Response After Hungary Expels 10 Diplomats

Russia has said it will deliver a "harsh and painful" response after Hungary expelled 10 Russian diplomats, according to the Guardian's live coverage of the Ukraine war on Monday.

Russia's foreign minister issued a warning to what he described as the "Russophobic lobby in Budapest" following the expulsions, which Hungarian authorities said were prompted by "unacceptable" activities by the diplomats. Details of the specific activities cited by Hungary were not immediately available.

The diplomatic dispute comes even as Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has generally maintained warmer relations with Moscow than most other European Union member states throughout the war in Ukraine.

Separately, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov struck a confident tone regarding the broader conflict, telling reporters that Russia believes victory in its war against Ukraine is close at hand.

"Yes, we are confident, and we are sure that victory is very near," Peskov said, according to comments reported by Reuters.

The remarks reflect starkly different messaging from Moscow on separate fronts: a threat of retaliation against a European neighbor over the diplomatic expulsions, alongside renewed assertions of progress in the war against Ukraine.

Further details on the specific measures Russia may take against Hungary, or on developments in the war itself, were not immediately provided in the available reporting.