BUDAPEST, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Hungarian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Hungary had no interest in escalating diplomatic tensions, but stood by its earlier decision, saying it was based on national security considerations.
"The operation of our missions in Russia will continue to be ensured, and Hungary's diplomatic presence in Russia will be maintained," the ministry added said in a statement on Facebook.
On Sept. 8, Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban announced that Hungary was expelling 10 staff members of the Russian embassy in Budapest due to their activities incompatible with diplomatic status.
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Hungary's Charge d'Affaires to Russia Gabor Gergics on Thursday to inform him of retaliatory measures in connection with Hungary expelling Russian diplomats on Sept. 8.
"A group of staff members of the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow and the Hungarian Consulates General in St. Petersburg and Kazan must leave the territory of the Russian Federation within two weeks," said the Russian Foreign Ministry. ■