Hungary has ordered 10 Russian diplomats to leave the country over activities that Budapest said were incompatible with their diplomatic status, marking a new deterioration in relations between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Anita Orban said Tuesday that Hungarian authorities had determined the diplomats had engaged in activities considered unacceptable under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

A Hungarian Foreign Ministry official informed the Russian ambassador of the decision, although Budapest did not disclose the specific activities attributed to the 10 individuals.

Orban said the expulsions were necessary to protect Hungary’s security and sovereignty.

The foreign minister stressed, however, that the decision did not mean Hungary was breaking diplomatic relations with Russia. Budapest would continue dialogue with Moscow based on mutual respect and adherence to international rules, she said.

The move is significant given Hungary’s historically close relationship with Russia under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Budapest has maintained ties with Moscow despite wider tensions between Russia and European countries over the war in Ukraine.

The expulsions come after Peter Magyar became Hungary’s prime minister and Anita Orban took office as foreign minister and deputy prime minister in May.