Kateryna Zhiriy12:47, 10.03.26

The Hungarian minister admitted that the money was confiscated due to Ukraine’s alleged blocking of the Druzhba oil pipeline.

Hungarian Transport Minister Janos Lazar said that the confiscation of Oschadbank’s funds is a response to Ukraine’s alleged blocking of the Druzhba oil pipeline, the Hungarian publication Telex reported .

Lazar confirmed that the cash cargo that the collectors were transporting to Ukraine was not detained by chance. This move is related to the alleged blocking of oil on the Druzhba oil pipeline, and until oil supplies are restored, the confiscated gold, dollars, and euros will not be returned to Ukraine.

“We know that Ukrainians are very nervous. If we are being blackmailed, we cannot be so stupid as to give in,” he said, noting that the move to withhold money is directly related to the oil blockade. 

Lazar said there were concerns about money laundering, the financing of organized crime and politics, and hinted that similar confiscations could occur again if new money transfers were made. 

“We did not do what we did by chance, and we will not return the money to them. The money remains here for now, we are waiting for the opening of the oil pipeline and new Ukrainian cash shipments through Hungary,” the minister added. 

It is noted that Raiffeisen Bank International did not confirm the transfer of money to Oschadbank due to banking secrecy, but stated that it has been trading banknotes for years and cooperates with central banks, regulators, and distributors.

The publication also quotes the Austrian agency APA, which reported that cash has been transported to Ukraine through Hungary for several years after the closure of Ukrainian airports in 2022.

Theft of cashiers and valuables from Oschadbank in Hungary

On March 5, employees of the state-owned Oschadbank were kidnapped in Hungary, along with their collection vehicles and valuables. The bank employees were driving two bank cars that were plying between Austria and Ukraine, transporting cash as part of regular services between state-owned banks. 

On March 6, the illegally detained employees of the Oschadbank collection service returned home. However, the cars and valuables still remain illegally detained. Oschadbank stated that they will defend their rights and seek the return of the valuables.

The leader of the Hungarian ruling Fidesz party, Mate Kocsis, has submitted a bill regarding the seized assets of the Ukrainian Oschadbank , which provides for the seizure of funds and valuables until the completion of the criminal investigation. 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that by proposing a bill to “legalize” Ukrainian bank money, Hungary is “plunging into a spiral of lawlessness .” Sybiga stressed that Ukraine “will hold all those involved accountable – not only for the theft of money, but also, above all, for the cruel treatment of seven Ukrainian citizens. 

(C)UNIAN 2026