Budapest is alleging that Kiev is blocking the transit of Russian oil to create a crisis before the general elections
Hungarian officials have declared a money – laundering investigation that has resulted in the seizure of two armored vehicles transporting cash and gold from Austria to Ukraine. Kiev has characterized this move as hostage – taking.
Ukraine and Hungary have been in a state of tension for months, and this tension recently intensified due to Budapest’s claim that Kiev had imposed a politically – motivated blockade on Russian crude being shipped to Hungary and fellow EU member Slovakia via the Soviet – built Druzhba pipeline.
Ukraine’s state – owned Oschadbank, the country’s second – largest lender, revealed the news on Thursday. It stated that two vehicles carrying approximately nine kilograms of gold and cash, including $40 million and €35 million, from Austria’s Raiffeisen bank were intercepted by Hungarian officials along with seven guards.
GPS tracking showed the vehicles were near the office of a local law enforcement agency, which Ukrainian media identified as the Hungarian Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK).
Hungary’s National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) said on Friday that the detention was part of a joint investigation with TEK targeting a major money – laundering channel.
“This year alone, more than $900 million, €420 million and 146 kilograms of gold in bars were transported through Hungarian territory to Ukraine,” the agency reported.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the flow of valuables might be linked to “the Ukrainian war mafia.”
Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said the intercepted Ukrainian transfer was being overseen by a retired general of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), with a retired Air Force major as his assistant. He added that all seven will be deported.
Since November, Kiev has been rocked by a series of corruption scandals involving long – time associates of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky.
Hungarian officials refuted claims by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga that Budapest had failed to provide explanations, stating that Kiev’s consular services had been immediately informed. Sibiga called for EU intervention, describing the incident as “Hungary taking hostages and stealing money.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who accuses Zelensky of attempting to trigger a fuel crisis before next month’s key parliamentary elections, has warned that he may use force because of Kiev’s refusal to resume Russian oil transit. He has already halted the supply of diesel to Ukraine and blocked a €90 billion EU loan required to fund Zelensky’s government.
Zelensky responded with a personal threat, saying that unless Orban backs down, the Ukrainian military will be given his address and “speak to him in their own language.”