07.03.2026 08:40
Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine escalated with a new crisis. The Budapest government seized two Ukrainian armored bank vehicles carrying millions of euros and dollars in gold, while 7 Ukrainian citizens accompanying the convoy were arrested.
Recently, a new development has escalated tensions along the Hungary-Ukraine line. The Hungarian government seized two Ukrainian armored bank vehicles carrying millions of euros in cash and gold bars.
The increasingly tense situation between Hungary and Ukraine has further escalated with Budapest's operation. Hungarian authorities also detained seven Ukrainian citizens accompanying the convoy.
"THE DETAINEES HAVE INTELLIGENCE CONNECTIONS"
Hungarian officials suggested that the detained individuals might have intelligence connections and that the source of the money being transported is suspicious. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha harshly targeted the Budapest government. Sybiha accused Hungary of "taking hostages and stealing money."
Sybiha also claimed that this incident was brought to the agenda to gain political advantage ahead of the elections scheduled for next month in Hungary, criticizing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for his pro-Russian policies.
The Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration announced that it has launched a money laundering investigation related to the shipment. Authorities reported that the vehicles contained 40 million dollars, 35 million euros in cash, and 9 kilograms of gold. It was stated that one of the arrested individuals was "a former general of the Ukrainian intelligence service."
UKRAINE: A ROUTINE SHIPMENT
Ukraine's state savings bank Oschadbank denied the allegations. The bank stated that cash and gold transfers were made by road due to airspace restrictions in Ukraine, explaining that the shipment in question was a routine transport carried out between Austria and Ukraine.
Balázs Orbán, the political director of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, said they approached the shipment with suspicion. Balázs Orbán stated, "Transporting cash and gold by armored vehicles through Hungary is not a sign of how legitimate financial transactions usually operate. The real question is simple: Who is behind this money and what are they aiming to finance?"
ORBÁN VETOED A 90 BILLION EURO LOAN PACKAGE TO UKRAINE
The crisis erupted after Hungary and Slovakia accused the Kiev administration of deliberately delaying the repair of a oil pipeline damaged in a Russian drone attack. Following these developments, Orbán vetoed the European Union sanctions against Russia and the planned additional loan package of 90 billion euros for Ukraine.
An announcement that further increased tensions came from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky reacted strongly to Orbán's loan veto, stating:
"We hope that not a single person in the European Union will block the 90 billion euro aid. Otherwise, we will give the address of this person to our armed forces, our soldiers. They can call and speak to him in their own languages."