Ukraine demands ‘immediate release’ of seven citizens ‘taken hostage’, as Hungary confirms their detention – Europe live | Ukraine
Hungary confirms it detained seven people as part of a money laundering investigation
The Hungarian tax office confirmed that it detained seven people and two cash transport vehicles coming from Austria towards Ukraine. He said a criminal investigation was launched on suspicion of money laundering.
According to an earlier statement by Ukraine’s state enterprise Oschadbank, the content of the transits was also confirmed.
However The authority made clear that one of the seven arrested was a former general of Ukrainian intelligence services. Hungarian media reported.
In a statement reported by Index.hu, the authority claimed that they had informed Ukrainian consular officials about the move but had not received any response.
important events
Hungarian opposition leader asks Zelenskyy to retract Orbán’s comments
Meanwhile, Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar sided with Orbán in his criticism of Zelenskyy’s comments, which appeared to contain a threat to him (10:17).
Speaking at a rally of his Tisza party, currently leading in the polls ahead of next month’s elections, he in question:
“The President of Ukraine threatened Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Let me state this clearly. No one, not a single Hungarian, can be threatened by a foreign head of state. Not the outgoing Orban government, not the future Tisza government, not a single Hungarian.
During my campaign tour, I call on the Ukrainian president to clarify his words and retract them if he really said so.”
Meanwhile, Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski mocked Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán on social media. In response to a separate media report claiming that Russian military intelligence GRU is expected to be involved in running a pro-government campaign ahead of parliamentary elections in Hungary next month.
“Getting electoral support from Maga and GRU simultaneously is no easy task. So, is Viktor fighting for the sovereignty of Hungary, or is he willing to turn it into a condominium?” he asked.
Ukraine advises against travel to Hungary after arrest of bank staff
Regarding the detention of seven Ukrainian citizens, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said this It advises Ukrainians not to travel to Hungary “because their safety cannot be guaranteed due to the arbitrary actions of the Hungarian authorities.”
We expect them to try to bring this issue to the agenda with the EU in the coming hours.
Foreign minister says Ukraine wants ‘immediate release’ of seven detained citizens
Meanwhile, “Ukrainian consuls are still not allowed access to seven Ukrainian citizens taken hostage in Budapest,” Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said.
“The Hungarian side did not make any statement. We demand their immediate release and are preparing the next steps. “Including at the EU level,” he added.
Hungary confirms it detained seven people as part of a money laundering investigation
The Hungarian tax office confirmed that it detained seven people and two cash transport vehicles coming from Austria towards Ukraine. He said a criminal investigation was launched on suspicion of money laundering.
According to an earlier statement by Ukraine’s state enterprise Oschadbank, the content of the transits was also confirmed.
However The authority made clear that one of the seven arrested was a former general of Ukrainian intelligence services. Hungarian media reported.
In a statement reported by Index.hu, the authority claimed that they had informed Ukrainian consular officials about the move but had not received any response.
Morning opening: Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine rise ahead of key elections
Yakup Krupa
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Hungary would use “every means” to reach a positive solution in the escalating row with neighbor Ukraine over the halt of Russian oil supplies to Budapest and Bratislava.
His comments sound like this Neighboring countries disagree on temporary closure of Druzhba pipeline It pumps Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, which Kiev said was damaged by Russian attacks in January.
In response the Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban Last month it blocked the payment of a 90 billion euro EU loan to Ukraine and the adoption of the latest round of sanctions against Russia.
However, tensions have increased in recent weeks. Orbán regularly uses derogatory remarks against Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his domestic campaign ahead of next month’s major parliamentary electionsthis could cause him to fall from power after 16 years.
Yesterday, Orbán accused Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskyy of threatening him After the Ukrainian president said at a government meeting in Kiev:
“We hope not one person in the European Union blocks it 90 billion Euros and weapons will be given to Ukrainian fighters; Otherwise, we will give this person’s address to our men so that they can call him and speak to him in their own language.”
Orban in question It was stated on social media that Zelenskyy’s words were “not about me, they are threatening Hungary.”
Later in the evening, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha requested Hungary “took hostage” seven employees of state-owned Ukrainian bank Oschadbank They were carrying 40 million dollars, 35 million euros and 9 kg of gold from Austria to Ukraine via Hungary.
“Their reasons, their current health conditions or the possibility of contacting them are still unknown,” he said.
oschadbank approved He said their vehicle’s GPS showed it was parked near a police station in central Budapest. He demanded the immediate release of his employees and property.
But this morning Orbán went further, telling state radio: Hungary will be ready to stop all shipments to Ukraine passing through its territory.
“Unless we run out of oil, Ukrainians will also run out of money.” in question.
So was he publicly supported by the Slovak prime minister Robert Fico, He called on senior EU leaders to “stay away from these outrageous blackmail statements” by Zelenskyy.
Let’s see what comes of this.
I will too Follow the latest developments on evacuation flights from Europe to the Middle East and Cyprus.
His Friday, March 6, 2026, his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.
Good morning.
