Ukraine accuses Hungary of taking seven people hostage

Ukraine Accuses Hungary of Hostage-Taking and Money Theft

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, has claimed that Hungarian officials have detained seven employees from the state savings bank Oschadbank. The minister posted on X, stating:

“Today in Budapest, Hungarian authorities took seven Ukrainian citizens hostage. The reasons remain unclear, and their current condition is unknown.”

The individuals were traveling in two vehicles transporting $80 million in cash between Austria and Ukraine. Sybiha noted that a message had been sent demanding their return.

Oschadbank released a statement asserting that the employees were “unjustifiably detained in Hungary.” The bank cited GPS records showing the vehicles’ presence in Budapest. The BBC has sought remarks from the Hungarian government. The statement also listed the stolen goods: “The vehicles contained 40 million US dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms of gold,” it said. The bank called for the immediate release of its staff and the recovery of their property.

Political Tensions Over Oil Supply

Relations between Ukraine and Hungary have been strained over the Druzhba pipeline. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for obstructing a European aid plan. Orban countered by accusing Kyiv of enforcing an “oil blockade” through delayed pipeline restarts. The Druzhba pipeline, critical for delivering Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, has been halted since January 27th. Hungary and Slovakia are the sole European Union nations still importing Russian oil.

Orban, facing challenges in upcoming elections, warned that Budapest would employ “political and financial strategies” to compel Ukraine to resume oil flow. Ukraine stated the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes last month and that repair teams had been targeted in subsequent attacks. Both countries accuse each other of using the pipeline dispute as a political maneuver.