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Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats as it shifts away from pro-Moscow stance
Hungary ordered 10 members of Russia’s diplomatic mission in Budapest to leave the country over activities deemed unacceptable, the government said Tuesday, signaling a shift away from the previous administration's warm relations with Moscow.
The Russian ambassador was informed that “according to the assessment of the Hungarian authorities, 10 members of the Russian mission had engaged in activities in Hungary that are unacceptable for diplomats under the Vienna Convention,” Foreign Minister Anita Orbán said.
That is a reference to an international treaty that governs the conduct of diplomats. Russia said that it planned to respond.
The foreign minister didn't specify the alleged activities or say how long the Russian personnel had to leave Hungary, but stressed that her country seeks to maintain diplomatic contacts with Moscow.
“This decision protects Hungary’s security and sovereignty,” Orbán wrote in a statement. “It does not imply breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia. Hungary intends to continue the necessary dialogue, based on mutual respect and adherence to the rules.”
The Russian foreign ministry, in comments to Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti, vowed to provide “an appropriate response” to the expulsions. It didn't elaborate.
Trump told Putin he wants swift end to Ukraine war and US-Russia ties restored: Kremlin
US President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a phone call that he wanted a swift end to the war in Ukraine, something that would allow US-Russia ties to be fully restored, the Kremlin said.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that the pair had discussed the outcome of US peace negotiators' weekend visit to Moscow and Kyiv - something he said both leaders had rated "with a plus sign" - and said that Putin had told Trump what he believed the United States could do to help end the conflict.
Putin had also given Trump his assessment of what the situation on the battlefield was and had made it clear that Russia had no hostile plans towards Europe, Ushakov said.
"Donald Trump clearly emphasised the desirability of bringing the conflict to an end as soon as possible, which would immediately open up prospects – impressive and far-reaching ones at that – for the full restoration of relations between the US and Russia," said Ushakov.
"In his view, this would have a particular impact on trade and economic ties, promising enormous benefits for both countries. Donald Trump is keen to see a breakthrough achieved during his presidency. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin supported this approach".
US envoys have 'very good' ideas to end Russia's war on Ukraine, Zelensky says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that US envoys who visited Kyiv presented some “very good, worthwhile ideas” for ending Russia's 4 1/2-year-old war, adding that he hopes to meet with President Donald Trump within two weeks.
But Russia remains determined to accomplish its military goals and it believes it is close to winning, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Ukrainian and Western observers believe that Moscow has been unable to make any significant progress on the front line.
Romania detains Russian accused of filming military sites for 'sabotage operation'
Romanian authorities said Tuesday they had detained a Russian citizen accused of filming and photographing military sites in the NATO country bordering Ukraine to prepare for an act of sabotage on the orders of Moscow.
The 40-year-old Russian citizen is accused of gathering military intelligence in the country between February and July 2026, prosecutors said in a statement.
The suspect allegedly photographed NATO equipment at several military bases, including in the capital Bucharest, and the movement of personnel and combat equipment.
"The Romanian Intelligence Service, in cooperation with national and international partners, has foiled a sabotage operation coordinated by the Russian Federation on Romanian territory," the Romanian intelligence service said in a separate statement.
Since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv's European allies say they have frequently been targeted by "hybrid attacks" linked to Russia.
Putin and Trump held 'constructive' call on potential path to peace in Ukraine, Kremlin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump had a "constructive and frank" hour-long telephone call during which Trump stressed his wish for the war in Ukraine to end as soon as possible, a Kremlin aide said on Tuesday.
The aide, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters, that the pair had discussed the outcome of US peace negotiators' recent visit to Moscow and Kyiv and said that Putin had told Trump what the US could do to help end the conflict.
Germany sends more Patriot missiles to Ukraine from its national stock
Germany will deliver Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine from its national stocks, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday.
"I decided to deliver urgently needed PAC-2 interceptor missiles from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine," Pistorius said at a videoconference of defence ministers from countries supporting Ukraine.
Pistorius said Germany would also step up the provision of air-to-air missiles and would continue to deliver drones and long-range ammunition to Ukraine.
Visitors queue to take a closer look at a Patriot missile launcher during the Armed Forces Day at the Airbase in Laage, Germany, on June 06, 2026. Along with nine other locations, Laage hosts the Armed Forces Day 2026. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)
Ukraine contracting 1,000 Patriot missiles from allies, defence chief says
Ukraine is contracting the supply of around 1,000 missiles for U.S.-designed Patriot air-defence systems with the help of allies and through a European Union loan, Kyiv's defence minister said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Yevhenii Khmara also said that the majority of the missiles would only be shipped in the coming years, and called for more urgent aid.
Pentagon warns of 'protracted conflict' between Russia and Ukraine
The world must be prepared for a protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a senior Pentagon official said Tuesday, even as he said President Donald Trump's administration was pushing for a lasting peace.
"We must be prepared for a protracted conflict and for Ukraine's requirements to persist in the months and years ahead, and we must also be prepared for other plausible contingencies as well," Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby said at a videoconference of defense officials from countries supporting Ukraine.
NATO chief urges allies to 'dig deeper' to back Ukraine
Ukraine's allies have no choice but to boost their support to the country in its fight against Russia, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday.
"Nations must dig deeper, we do not have a choice," Rutte said at a videoconference of defence ministers from countries supporting Ukraine.
"Our collective support will enable Ukraine to seize the opportunities it is creating now across all fronts and to defend itself in the skies," Rutte said.
Ukraine denounces 'horrific' Russian missile,drone assault shortly after US envoy's departure
Ukraine criticised Russia on Tuesday for launching a major missile and drone attack that killed at least two people shortly after a weekend visit by US envoys to both countries' capitals, where they tried to restart stalled talks on ending the war.
In Ukraine, teens try to heal from trauma of war at summer camp
The psychological impact on the Ukrainian population of nearly five years of full-scale Russian onslaught is hard to overstate. Children and teenagers are particularly at risk of trauma. With support from foreign philanthropists, one Ukrainian NGO is trying to help at least a few teenagers cope better, via summer camps that mix therapy and fun. Our correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports.
Romanian intelligence service says it prevented Russian sabotage operation
Romania's SRI intelligence service prevented a sabotage operation coordinated by Russia on Romanian territory, it said on Tuesday.
Moscow vows 'painful' response to Hungary expelling 10 Russian diplomats
Moscow pledged Tuesday a "harsh and painful" response to Hungary's move to expel 10 Russian diplomats over what Budapest called their "unacceptable" activity in the country.
"The response to the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be harsh and painful," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the TASS state news agency.
Lavrov says Russia and Saudi Arabia will coordinate their approaches within OPEC+
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Russia and Saudi Arabia would work closely together within the framework of OPEC+ group of leading oil producers.
Kremlin says Russia's victory in war with Ukraine is "very near"
Russia is confident that victory in the conflict with Ukraine is "very near," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday while speaking to Indian journalists.
"Yes, we are confident, and we are sure that victory is very near," Peskov said.
Russia pounds Kyiv after pause for visit of US envoys
Russia pummelled Kyiv with drones and missiles early on Tuesday, resuming its air attacks after a brief halt for the visit of US peace negotiators, killing two people and triggering fires across the Ukrainian capital. France 24’s correspondent in Kyiv Emmanuelle Chaze has the latest.
Zelensky hopes to meet Trump this month to discuss missile defence
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday he hoped to meet Donald Trump later in September to discuss a package of air defence support for Kyiv, where Russia has intensified its missile and drone strikes over the summer.
The Ukrainian leader told journalists he was "counting on a meeting" with the US president after 20 September, at which he would try to secure US supplies to help intercept Russian ballistic missiles.
Russia does not seek 'de-dollarisation', open to payment methods, Kremlin says
Russia does not seek "de-dollarisation" and is open to every acceptable method of payment, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday, in a virtual interaction with Indian reporters days before the BRICS leaders' summit in New Delhi.
Some countries are using their national currency as a political tool, he added, without naming any country.
Two killed in Ukrainian attack on Russian-annexed Crimea, Moscow-appointed governor says
Two people have been killed and one has been wounded in a Ukrainian attack on the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, Sergei Aksyonov, the Moscow-appointed regional governor, said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
