Hungary Detains Ukrainian Bank Workers and Cash Transport Vehicles
Hungary's tax authority has announced the arrest of seven Ukrainians and the seizure of two cash-transport vehicles on suspicion of money laundering. This development follows accusations from Ukraine's foreign minister, who claimed that Budapest is holding the individuals hostage.
"The reasons are still unknown, as well as their current well-being,"Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.
"We have already sent an official note demanding an immediate release of our citizens."
According to Ukraine's state savings bank, Oschadbank, the seven workers were traveling in two vans transporting $80 million (£60 million) in cash and 9 kilograms of gold during a routine transfer between Austria and Ukraine. The bank described their detention as "unjustified," noting that GPS data indicated the vehicles were located in Budapest.
Hungary's tax authority stated on Friday that criminal proceedings are underway and revealed that one individual in the group is a former general of Ukraine's intelligence service.
"This year alone, more than $900 million, €420 million and 146 kilograms of gold bars were transported to Ukraine through the territory of Hungary,"the national tax and customs administration said in a statement.
Context of Deteriorating Ukraine-Hungary Relations
Relations between Ukraine and Hungary have worsened amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating into a dispute over the suspension of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline in Ukraine.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban did not mention the detained bank workers during his regular radio broadcast on Friday. However, he stated that
"transit shipments" important to Ukraine would be halted until the dispute over Russian oil supplies is resolved.
Hungarian media reported that officials dressed in black from Hungary's TEK counter-terrorism center raided the Ukrainian-registered vehicles on Thursday, after which the convoy was escorted to Budapest.
In response, Ukraine's foreign minister accused Hungary of
"state terrorism and racketeering."
"We are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money,"Sybiha said on X.
Political Tensions Over Russian Oil and EU Aid
Orban, regarded as Russia's closest ally within the European Union, has accused Ukraine of intentionally halting Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline. Kyiv contends that the pipeline was damaged by a Russian air strike in January. Orban has threatened to
"force the Ukrainians to restart deliveries."
The Hungarian leader, whose party is trailing in polls ahead of next month's critical elections, has also blocked a €90 billion (£78 billion) EU aid package considered essential for Ukraine's financing. This move is seen as leverage to compel the resumption of oil supplies.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Orban for obstructing the aid package.
Zelensky also stated on Thursday that the Druzhba pipeline might not become operational for another four to six weeks.
"To be honest, I would not restore it. This is my position. I expressed it to European leaders... because this is Russian oil,"he said during a briefing.
"Russians are killing Ukrainians and we have to give oil to Orban, because he, the poor thing, cannot win the election without this oil."
The Ukrainian president further suggested that if Hungary's prime minister continues to block EU funding for Ukraine, Ukrainian armed forces would be given his address to
"communicate with him in their own language."
Orban has declared that Budapest will employ
"political and financial tools"to compel Ukraine to reopen the pipeline carrying Russian oil to Hungarian refineries.
Significance of the Druzhba Pipeline
The Druzhba pipeline is the primary route for delivering Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. Shipments of Russian oil to both countries have been suspended since 27 January.
Hungary and Slovakia, the only European Union countries still importing Russian oil, accuse Ukraine of deliberately delaying the resumption of oil flows for political reasons.
