Hungary returns a seized cash and gold shipment worth $82 million to Ukraine
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Nearly $82 million worth of Ukrainian cash and gold seized by Hungary earlier this year has been returned to Ukrainian state-owned Oschadbank, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday.
Hungarian anti-terrorism authorities seized valuables transported through Hungary in two armored vehicles. They detained them on March 5caused outrage in Ukraine, where officials were blamed Hungary’s pro-Russian government that he acted illegally and that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had authorized the seizure. Anti-Ukrainian election campaign.
Neighboring countries were already in a situation. bitter fight On Hungary’s access to Russian oil through a pipeline passing through Ukrainian territory.
But on Wednesday, Zelenskyy wrote on social media that the return of valuables following Orbán’s defeat represented “an important step in relations with Hungary.” landslide selection This situation last month raised hopes that the incoming government would pursue a less hostile policy towards Kiev.
“I am grateful to Hungary for its constructive approach and civilized step,” Zelenskyy wrote. “I would like to thank everyone in the Ukrainian team who fought for a fair decision and defended the interests of our state and our people.”
At the time of the seizure, Hungarian authorities said they suspected money laundering and Orbán ordered the shipment He will be detained for up to 60 days – including $40 million and 35 million euros in cash and 9 kilograms (19.8 pounds) of gold – while his country’s tax office investigates.
Hungary’s tax office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ukrainian bank employees traveling with the shipment were held by Hungarian authorities for more than 24 hours before being deported from the country.
Ukrainian officials said the shipment was a routine asset transfer between state banks and accused Orbán’s government of putting pressure on it by blackmailing Kiev. Restoring interrupted shipments of Russian oil Via the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged in a Russian drone attack.
However, Orbán instructed the tax office to determine the shipment’s origin, destination and intended use, as well as the identity of the seven deported Ukrainians and their possible connections to criminal or terrorist organizations.
Orbán also suggested, without providing any evidence, that the shipment may have been intended to finance his main political rival, the United States. centre-right Tisza partyHe won last month’s elections with a two-thirds majority in parliament.
The Orbán government had blocked the 90 billion euro ($106 billion) European Union loan given to Ukraine due to the disruption of Russian oil through Druzhba. But when these flows resumed after Orbán’s election defeat, Hungary overturned his veto and let the credit pass.
