Sybiha: The mask has slipped, Hungarian officials no longer hiding blackmail

In response to statements by Hungarian officials, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the seizure of Oschadbank employees an act of state terrorism and urged the international community to condemn such actions.

He said this in a post on X, Ukrinform reports.

"The mask has slipped. Hungary's officials do not hide their blackmail anymore. They openly confess to taking hostages and stealing money with the aim of demanding ransom. Such actions must be called by their name: state terrorism. We urge clear international condemnation," Sybiha said.

As reported earlier, Hungary's Minister of Construction and Transport Janos Lazar said the detention of Oschadbank cash collectors was not accidental and was a response to the alleged "blocking" of the Druzhba oil pipeline.

Meanwhile, the ruling Fidesz party led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban submitted a bill proposing the continued detention of the seized Oschadbank cash and gold.

On March 6, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Hungarian authorities in Budapest had detained seven Ukrainian citizens – employees of Oschadbank – and seized the money they were transporting from Austria to Ukraine. According to him, the vehicles were traveling in transit between Austria and Ukraine and were transporting cash as part of regular servicing between state-owned banks.

Later that day, Hungary's tax authority confirmed the detention of seven Oschadbank cash collectors and two vehicles carrying cash, saying a criminal investigation had been launched on suspicion of money laundering.

Sybiha said Hungary had no grounds to detain the Oschadbank employees and their convoy and had violated international law. He later added that, in effect, "Hungarian authorities robbed two Ukrainian armored bank vehicles."

The cash collectors were subsequently expelled from Hungary and returned to Ukraine.

On March 7, the National Bank of Ukraine said the unlawful seizure of Oschadbank's armored vehicles in Hungary could cause temporary logistical difficulties in delivering foreign cash currency from abroad. In response, the central bank said it was ready to supply Ukrainian banks with additional foreign cash reserves if necessary.

Earlier, the Hungarian government adopted a special resolution regarding the seized cash and gold from Oschadbank's armored vehicles, stating that the assets will remain under the control of Hungarian authorities during the investigation.