Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha announced that Ukraine retains the right to impose sanctions against individuals involved in the detention of seven employees from Oschadbank. He also stated that the ministry is convening foreign diplomats to discuss the situation.
According to Sybiha, statements from Hungarian politicians indicate that the arrest of the seven Ukrainian citizens in Budapest was part of a campaign of intimidation and political maneuvering in Hungary.
“The list of demands from Orban to Ukraine this morning was particularly revealing. This is typically what happens after people are taken hostage: demands are made. We will not tolerate this state banditry,” Sybiha remarked.
He emphasized that those responsible for the capture and detention of Ukrainian citizens will face accountability. Furthermore, he reiterated that Kyiv is prepared to take appropriate measures, including the initiation of sanctions and other restrictive actions.
Sybiha urged Hungary to refrain from involving Ukraine in its internal politics and electoral campaigns. He confirmed that the Ukrainian foreign ministry is gathering the foreign diplomatic corps to address the situation.
“We expect decisive responses from our partners. We will also assemble the foreign diplomatic corps at the Ukrainian foreign ministry to inform them about Hungary’s unacceptable actions, refute absurd accusations, and call for support in demanding accountability for those responsible,” he added.
Details regarding the detention of Oschadbank employees in Hungary have emerged. On the night of March 6, Sybiha reported that Hungarian authorities detained seven bank employees who were transporting cash on an armored vehicle from Austria.
Oschadbank confirmed that its employees went missing in Hungary, along with the detained armored vehicles and valuables. GPS data indicates that the bank’s vehicles are currently located in central Budapest, near a Hungarian security agency.
The bank noted that its employees were transporting money and valuables under an international agreement with Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank, and the cargo was processed according to international transport regulations and current European customs procedures. The total value of the goods in the detained vehicles was approximately $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold.
Informed sources revealed that the seized armored vehicles are currently held at a secure location within the local Anti-Terrorism Center.
Later, Hungary’s National Tax and Customs Administration confirmed the detention of seven Ukrainians on suspicion of money laundering. They also claimed that the Hungarian authorities promptly informed the Ukrainian consulate about the initiation of an investigation.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry characterized the detention of the Oschadbank employees by Hungarian law enforcement as “lawlessness” and advised Ukrainian citizens to avoid traveling to Hungary due to safety concerns.
Andriy Pyshny, the head of the National Bank of Ukraine, stated that a team from the ministry is urgently traveling to Budapest to clarify the situation regarding the capture of Oschadbank’s armored crews.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister has announced potential sanctions against Hungary following the detention of seven Oschadbank employees, emphasizing the need for accountability. The situation has prompted diplomatic discussions and travel advisories for Ukrainians.