Hungary’s tax authority says it has arrested seven Ukrainian nationals and seized two cash-transport vehicles as part of a money-laundering investigation, sparking a diplomatic dispute between Budapest and Kyiv.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, accused Hungary of effectively taking the workers hostage and demanded their immediate release. Posting on X, Sybiha said the reasons for their detention remain unclear. That Ukraine has already sent an official diplomatic note requesting information about their condition and calling for their release. Read More
According to Ukraine’s state savings bank, Oschadbank, the seven workers were travelling in two vans carrying about $80 million in cash and 9 kilograms of gold. The bank said the shipment was part of a routine transport operation moving valuables from Austria to Ukraine. It also claimed Hungarian authorities unjustifiably detained the workers and that GPS tracking showed the vehicles in Budapest.
Hungary’s National Tax and Customs Administration confirmed that criminal proceedings are underway. Officials also said that one of the detained individuals is a former general from Ukraine’s intelligence service. In a statement, the authority noted that large amounts of cash and gold regularly pass through Hungary on their way to Ukraine. Saying that this year alone more than $900 million, €420 million and 146 kilograms of gold bars have been transported along the route.
The incident comes at a time when relations between Hungary and Ukraine are already tense. The two countries have been arguing over the suspension of Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which passes through Ukraine. Read More
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban did not mention the detained Ukrainians during his regular radio interview on Friday. However, he said Hungary could halt “transit shipments” important to Ukraine until the two sides resolve the dispute over Russian oil supplies.
Hungarian media reported that officers from Hungary’s TEK counter-terrorism unit, dressed in black tactical gear, intercepted the Ukrainian-registered vehicles on Thursday. The convoy was then escorted to Budapest.
Reacting to the situation, Ukraine’s foreign minister sharply criticized Hungary, accusing it of “state terrorism and racketeering.” He claimed the country had essentially taken hostages and seized Ukrainian money.
The dispute also relates to the broader conflict over Russian energy supplies. Orban, widely seen as Russia’s closest ally within the European Union, has accused Ukraine of deliberately blocking Russian oil flowing through the Druzhba pipeline. Kyiv, however, says the pipeline was damaged by a Russian air strike in January.
Orban has threatened to pressure Ukraine into restarting deliveries. While also blocking a €90 billion EU financial aid package intended to support Ukraine’s war-damaged economy. Many analysts see Hungary’s move as an attempt to force Ukraine to restore the oil supply.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly criticized Orban’s stance. He said the Druzhba pipeline may take another four to six weeks to become operational again. But also suggested he would prefer not to restore it at all because it carries Russian oil.
Zelensky argued that Russia is continuing its attacks on Ukraine and questioned why Ukraine should help supply oil to Hungary. He also warned that if Hungary continues blocking EU financial assistance, Ukraine could respond more aggressively.
The Druzhba pipeline is the main route for Russian oil reaching Hungary and Slovakia. Ukraine halted shipments through the pipeline on 27 January. Hungary and Slovakia, the only European Union countries still importing Russian oil. Accuse Ukraine of intentionally delaying the restart of the flow for political reasons.
