Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 10. Ukraine and Hungary announced on the 9th that they would expel two diplomats from each other, accusing each other of espionage activities. The latest storm was caused by the Ukrainian security agency's arrest of two suspected Hungarian spies earlier that day.

　　According to AFP, the Ukrainian National Security Agency said on the 9th that the agency detained two people suspected of espionage for Hungary, accusing them of collecting intelligence, including the location of the air defense system in the Outer Carpathian state bordering Hungary in western Ukraine.

  This is a government office building photographed on February 10, 2022 in Kiev, Ukraine. Posted by Xinhua News Agency (photo by Sergey Staraskinko)

　　The Ukrainian National Security Agency said in a statement that "for the first time in Ukraine's history, a Hungarian military intelligence network is exposed. This gang is conducting espionage activities that are unfavorable to our country." "Two agents" have been detained. According to the statement, the suspects were a 40-year-old man and a woman, both Ukrainian veterans, who were under the command of a Hungarian intelligence official.

　　If the two are convicted of treason, they may face life imprisonment.

　　Hungarian Foreign Minister Sijaldor Peter then responded that Hungary expelled "two spies who used diplomatic work as cover in the Ukrainian embassy in Hungary." He condemned Ukraine's spy allegations as the "latest slander" against Hungary.

　　"We will not tolerate Ukraine's continuous slanderous actions against the Hungarian and Hungarian people," Sijaldo said in a video posted on social media. He believes this is Ukrainian "anti-Hungarian propaganda" in retaliation for Hungary's refusal to provide assistance to Ukraine in the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis.

　　In response, Ukraine expelled two Hungarian diplomats. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andre Sebiga said: "Two Hungarian diplomats must leave our country within 48 hours. We have just summoned the Hungarian ambassador to Ukraine and submitted relevant notes... This is based on the principle of reciprocity and our interests, and responded to Hungary's actions."

　　Hungary is a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. According to Reuters and AFP, Hungary and Ukraine have been tense in recent years. During the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, Ukraine had close ties with the EU and NATO, but Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Viktor always questioned Western military aid to Ukraine. (Liu Xi)

[Editor in charge: Liu Zhongling and Zhang Xuye]