Kremlin keeps door open to Hungary despite diplomatic expulsions

On Wednesday, the Kremlin reportedly said that Russia would offer a suitable reply to Hungary’s decision to expel 10 Russian diplomats but that it remains willing to foster connections.

According to Hungary, the diplomats who were expelled because they had acted in a manner incompatible with their status.

The significant move signaled a turning point for the era of former prime minister Viktor Orban who had preserved amicable relations with Moscow.

Notably, after Orban's electoral defeat in April, Peter Magyar became the new leader of Hungary. In this connection, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the expulsions had strained relations and would not go unanswered.

The statement reads: “At the ​same ⁠time, we remain open to further developing our ties. ​We are interested in doing ​so, ⁠and we do not favour causing any harm to what one might ⁠call ​the valuable legacy and ​experience of Russian-Hungarian bilateral relations.”

Earlier, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a phone call today with Putin sharing his assessment of the Ukraine situation while Trump pushed for a major effort to improve Russia-US ties

According to Kremlin aid, the United States and Russia continued commitment to humanitarian causes including prisoner exchanges. During the meeting, the Russian leader underlined the achievements of Russian forces on the battlefield and stressed that he intends to attain his military objectives