Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has articulated his country’s position regarding Ukraine, emphasizing a desire to strengthen Ukraine as a buffer state between Hungary and Russia. However, he has also expressed opposition to Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, raising concerns about the implications of such a move.
During a parliamentary session on March 9, Orbán responded to an opposition lawmaker’s criticism of the government’s policies, which he claimed have led to a halt in oil supplies and strained relations with Kyiv. Orbán dismissed these claims as exaggerated, asserting that it is crucial for Hungary to maintain a buffer between itself and Russia.
“We are interested not in weakening but in strengthening Ukraine, so that there is always something—this can also be called Ukraine—between Russia and Hungary,” Orbán stated.
He further noted that the security of Hungarians is better assured when Russia is not an immediate neighbor, indicating that Hungary would support Ukraine in this context. Nonetheless, he highlighted the “single question” of Ukraine’s place in Europe, reiterating his reluctance to see Ukraine join the EU. Orbán characterized Ukrainian behavior as demanding and threatening, suggesting that they act as if they are already EU members.
In his remarks, Orbán referenced the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, stating that during the suppression of this uprising by Russian forces, Ukrainians were on the side of the oppressors. He expressed a desire to pursue a strategic agreement between Ukraine and the EU that would benefit both Europe and Hungary.
Hungary Blocks EU Loan to Ukraine
On February 20, it was reported that Hungary blocked a €90 billion loan from the EU to Ukraine, citing a lack of oil transit from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs contended that they had informed Budapest about Russian attacks on the pipeline in Brody, Lviv region, on January 27, arguing that Hungary’s accusations of delays in supply were illogical.
Despite this, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó claimed during a European Council meeting on February 23 that Russia had not targeted the pipeline infrastructure and suggested that Ukraine had halted transit due to internal political decisions. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Szijjártó of making statements that favored Russia.
On February 23, European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stated that the EU was not considering alternative options regarding the €90 billion loan that Hungary was blocking.
Detention of Ukrainian Bank Employees in Hungary
On the night of March 6, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Hungarian authorities had detained seven employees of Oschadbank who were transporting cash from Austria. Oschadbank confirmed the disappearance of its employees and the seizure of cash and valuables, noting that GPS data indicated their vehicles were located in central Budapest, near a Hungarian security service building.
The bank stated that its employees were conducting a cash transport in accordance with international agreements with Austria’s Raiffeisenbank, following established international transport regulations and European customs procedures. The total value of the seized items was reported to be $40 million, €35 million, and nine kilograms of gold.
Informed sources indicated that the seized vehicles are currently held at a local Anti-Terrorism Center. The Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration later confirmed the detention of the seven Ukrainians on suspicion of money laundering, asserting that the Hungarian authorities promptly notified the Ukrainian consulate about the investigation.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the detention as “arbitrariness” and advised Ukrainian citizens to avoid traveling to Hungary due to safety concerns. Andrii Pyshny, head of Ukraine’s National Bank, announced that a team would urgently travel to Budapest to clarify the situation regarding the detainment of Oschadbank’s cash transport teams.
He emphasized that the transportation of currency values by Ukrainian banks complies with international norms and does not involve any violations. By the evening of March 6, the seven detained cash transporters returned to Ukraine, while Hungary did not detain the individuals transporting the funds. The valuables remain in Hungary.
On March 9, Fidesz faction leader Máté Kocsis registered a bill in the Hungarian parliament proposing a two-month freeze on the Ukrainian assets seized during the detention of the Oschadbank cash transporters until the conclusion of the investigation. The lawyer representing the Ukrainian cash transporters, Lóránt Horváth, stated that the Hungarian authorities effectively acknowledge the illegality of the seizure of Oschadbank’s valuables, and the proposed bill seeks to retroactively legitimize the confiscation.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed support for Ukraine as a buffer against Russia while opposing its EU membership. Recent tensions include Hungary blocking a significant EU loan to Ukraine and the detention of Ukrainian bank employees, raising concerns about bilateral relations.