Kyiv hails Hungary returning seized cash, eyes mending ties - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirgFBVV95cUxNWlQtSW9FMEFta242cGFiYXUtVDVQdExoNzVtc082elBVVDY2c2EyZzhJU1ljY1dpS3VtaEV5bF9JdXpfVGQ4MldQdURIajVHeHFieTZ4WTR5cmI3d1BKSHRjcUpOQjNCNHVETDhEeDdvZTd1QnpwUXMzb2s1Y0k2ajlfSm1RSTRjTW1BeDB0OHpQYng4Rzg2dkx2S1Jsb2FKc216cWhHQVU5VEpQQ1E?oc=5" target="_blank">Kyiv hails Hungary returning seized cash, eyes mending ties</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Hungary has returned to Ukraine a seized shipment of cash and gold valued at $82 million, which had been confiscated in March 2026 during transit by armored vehicles through Hungarian territory. The valuables—$40 million and €35 million in cash plus 9 kilograms of gold—were meant for Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank. Their seizure by Hungarian authorities, citing money laundering suspicions, strained relations and led to strong accusations from Kyiv, which viewed the move as politically motivated interference by then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s pro-Russian government. The dispute was set against the broader backdrop of Hungary’s contentious stance toward Ukraine, including a blockade of a €90 billion EU loan and disputes over Russian oil delivery via Ukraine. However, the return of the assets followed Orbán’s defeat in recent parliamentary elections, raising hopes for improved relations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the return as a “constructive” gesture and thanked those who defended Ukraine’s interests. Following Orbán's electoral loss, Hungary lifted its veto on the stalled EU loan, signaling a possible shift in policy under the new government.

Hungary has returned cash and gold of Ukraine’s Oschadbank seized by Budapest’s security service in March, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, as Kyiv welcomed the move toward normalising strained ties under Hungary’s outgoing government. Under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who lost the election to Peter Magyar, Hungary detained seven Ukrainians transporting around $82 million in cash and gold on suspicion of money laundering. Ukraine denounced the seizure as racketeering. Both funds and gold are back in Ukraine in full, Zelenskiy said, stressing Hungary’s “constructive approach and civilised step”. “The return of the stolen property draws a clear line between the lawlessness of the Orban regime and the constructive approach of the incoming new government,” Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said on X. Magyar is to take the oath of office on Saturday. “We take this as a sign of Hungary’s willingness to advance our relations with mutual respect and healthy pragmatism — and we are ready to reciprocate,” he added. Ukraine breathed a sigh of relief after Orban, Europe’s closest Russian ally who vehemently opposed aid for Ukraine, lost the vote. Ukrainian officials expressed hope that Magyar will adopt a more pragmatic tone in bilateral relations.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Wednesday that Hungary had returned cash and gold seized from employees of a state-owned Ukrainian bank in March amid a political spat. "An important step in relations with Hungary - today, the funds and valuables of Oschadbank that were seized by Hungarian special services in March of this year were returned," Zelenskyy said in a statement on social media. The incident triggered a diplomatic row after Hungarian police raided a convoy of cash carriers near Budapest and seized $40 million, €35 million and 9kg of gold. Hungary expelled seven Ukrainian nationals accompanying the transport the following day and opened an investigation into suspected money laundering.

Hungary has returned funds and valuables belonging to Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank that were seized earlier this year, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday, May 6. In a Telegram post, Zelensky described the move as an “important step” in bilateral relations, adding that the assets are now fully back on Ukrainian territory.

Hungary has returned the gold and cash belonging to Oschadbank that were seized in March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media. Seven Oschadbank couriers were detained on March 5 while transporting cash and gold through Hungary. Hungarian authorities said the funds could belong to the “Ukrainian military mafia.” The sum in question was $40 million, 35 million euros, and nine kilograms (about 20 pounds) of gold. Ukraine called the incident a “hostage-taking” and urged its citizens not to travel to Hungary. The couriers were released the following day. Zelensky thanked Budapest for what he called a “constructive and civilized step.”