Hungary to expel seven men detained with Ukraine's cash and gold shipments, spokesperson says
The seven Ukrainian men detained by Hungarian tax and customs authorities will be expelled from Hungary, according to Zoltán Kovács, the Hungarian government’s international spokesman.
Kovács stated that the authorities discovered the operation was supervised by a former general of the Ukrainian Security Service, with a former major of the Ukrainian Air Force acting as deputy, assisted by individuals with military experience.
"Based on these findings, all seven individuals will be expelled from Hungary," Kovács said.
EU declines to comment on Hungary-Ukraine escalation
At its midday briefing, the European Commission declined to comment on the recent escalation between Hungary and Ukraine.
Internal affairs spokesperson Markus Lammert said:
"We are aware of the media reports on this matter. We have no additional information on the reported events for now, and I therefore have no comments to offer at this stage."
The commission’s deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill added that there was too much speculation involved and declined to engage in conjecture.
Iceland proposes referendum on resuming EU accession talks
Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir submitted a government motion proposing a referendum on resuming accession talks with the European Union. The vote is suggested to take place on 29 August, according to state broadcaster RUV.
Ukrainian Prime Minister criticizes Hungary's actions as reminiscent of 1990s Moscow
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko accused Hungary of "taking seven Ukrainians hostage in a method reminiscent of 1990’s era Moscow," marking a further escalation in tensions between Kyiv and Budapest.
She noted the timing was notable, occurring shortly after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s delegation visited the Kremlin.
Orbán met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to discuss energy security.
"The Ukrainian government is demanding an immediate release of our citizens. We will take appropriate action to hold those responsible for their detention accountable. We also urge our partners to react strongly. Such arbitrary detentions demand clear international condemnation," Svyrydenko stated.
Bank of Ukraine sends team to Budapest over detained men
Andriy Pyshnyy, governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, announced that his deputy and a bank team are traveling to Budapest to clarify the circumstances surrounding the detention of the seven Ukrainian men involved in the transit.
"We’re appealing to international partners and regulators. We demand official explanations from Hungarian authorities," Pyshnyy said.
Hungarian opposition leader urges Zelenskyy to retract comments about Orbán
Péter Magyar, leader of the Hungarian opposition and head of the Tisza party, supported Orbán’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s remarks, which appeared to include a threat against Orbán.
Speaking at a campaign rally, Magyar said:
"The Ukrainian president has threatened prime minister Viktor Orbán. Let me make it clear that no one, not a single Hungarian, can be threatened by a foreign head of state. Not the outgoing Orbán government, nor the future Tisza government, not a single Hungarian.
So during my campaign tour, I call on the Ukrainian president to clarify his words, and, if he really said that, then to withdraw it."
Meanwhile, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski responded on social media to a media report alleging Russian military intelligence (GRU) involvement in a pro-government campaign ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary election.
"To get electoral support simultaneously from Maga and GRU is no mean feat. But is Viktor fighting for Hungarian sovereignty or volunteering to make it a condominium?" Sikorski asked.
Ukraine advises against travel to Hungary following arrests
Following the detention of seven Ukrainian citizens, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry advised Ukrainians to avoid travel to Hungary due to concerns over safety amid arbitrary actions by Hungarian authorities.
Ukraine is expected to raise this issue with the European Union in the coming hours.
Ukraine demands immediate release of detained citizens, foreign minister says
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported that Ukrainian consuls have not yet been granted access to the seven detained Ukrainian citizens in Budapest.
"The Hungarian side has not provided any explanation. We demand their immediate release and prepare next actions, including at the EU level," Sybiha said.
Hungary confirms detaining seven people in money laundering investigation
The Hungarian tax authority confirmed the detention of seven individuals and two cash-in-transit vehicles traveling from Austria to Ukraine. The authority is conducting criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering.
The contents of the transit were confirmed by Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank.
Hungarian media reported that one of the detainees was a former general of the Ukrainian intelligence services.
According to a statement quoted by Index.hu, the Hungarian tax authority claimed it informed Ukrainian consular authorities of the detentions but received no response.
Morning opening: Rising tensions between Hungary and Ukraine ahead of election
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Hungary will use all means necessary to secure a favorable outcome in an escalating dispute with Ukraine over stalled Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia.
The dispute centers on the temporary closure of the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia and was reportedly damaged by Russian strikes in January.
In response, Orbán blocked a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine and the adoption of the latest sanctions against Russia last month.
Tensions have increased recently, with Orbán frequently criticizing Ukraine and its allies in his domestic campaign ahead of the parliamentary election next month, which could end his 16-year tenure.
Yesterday, Orbán accused Ukrainian President Zelenskyy of threatening him after Zelenskyy said at a government meeting in Kyiv:
"We hope that one person in the European Union will not block the €90bn and that Ukrainian fighters will receive weapons; otherwise, we will give this person’s address to our guys so they can call him and speak to him in their language."
Orbán responded on social media that Zelenskyy’s words were "not about me – he is threatening Hungary."
Later that evening, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Hungary had "taken hostage" seven employees of the state-owned Ukrainian bank Oschadbank who were transporting $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine via Hungary.
"The reasons are still unknown, as well as their current wellbeing, or the possibility of contacting them," Sybiha said.
Oschadbank reported that the GPS of their vehicle indicated it was parked near a law enforcement agency in central Budapest and demanded the immediate release of its employees and property.
This morning, Orbán further stated on state radio that Hungary would be prepared to stop all shipments for Ukraine passing through its territory.
"The Ukrainians will run out of money sooner than we run out of oil," Orbán said.
Orbán was also criticized by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who urged EU leaders to "distance themselves from these outrageous blackmailing statements" made by Zelenskyy.
Developments will continue to be monitored, including European evacuation flights from the Middle East and other relevant news.
It is Friday, 6 March 2026. This is Jakub Krupa with Europe Live.
