Ukrainian bank employees transporting cash between Austria and Ukraine were detained in Hungary, which Kyiv calls hostage-taking and robbery.
Ukraine Condemns Detention as Hostage-Taking
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that the detained employees were traveling in two bank vehicles on the Austria-Ukraine route, transporting cash as part of regular transports. “We are dealing with Hungary taking them as hostages and stealing the money,” he assessed.
“If this is the power that Prime Minister Viktor Orban spoke of today, then it is the power of a criminal group. This is state terrorism and extortion,” added the Ukrainian minister.
Diplomatic Response and Demands
Ukraine has sent an official note demanding the immediate release of its citizens, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. “We will also turn to the European Union with a request to clearly qualify the illegal actions of Hungary: taking hostages and robbery,” the ministry stated.
Bank Details Illegal Detention
Oschadbank reported that on Thursday, two vehicles carrying seven employees of their debt collection team were unjustifiably detained in Hungary during a regular transport of foreign currencies and precious metals between Raiffeisen Bank Austria and Oschadbank Ukraine.
According to GPS data, the illegally detained vehicles are currently in the center of Budapest, near a Hungarian law enforcement unit. The location was confirmed by Ukrainian officials, but the whereabouts of the seven employees remain unknown. The transport was conducted according to international agreements and procedures, with the cargo valued at $40 million, 35 million euros, and 9 kg of gold.
Background: Oil Supply Dispute
The incident follows Orban’s announcement about exerting pressure on Kyiv regarding the restart of the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil to Hungary via Ukraine. The pipeline was attacked by Russia at the end of January, and while Ukraine claims it’s being repaired, Hungary contends that Kyiv is deliberately halting oil transit.
Hungary’s Retaliatory Measures
In response to what they perceive as halted oil supplies, Hungary and Slovakia have released their strategic oil reserves and suspended diesel fuel deliveries to Ukraine. Slovakia has also suspended electricity supplies, with Hungary threatening similar action. Budapest further announced it will block the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia and a €90 billion EU loan for Kyiv until oil transport resumes.
