Hungarian Transport Minister János Lázár said that the funds seized from the collectors of the Ukrainian Oschadbank will remain in the country until Ukraine resumes the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline.
He said this in a commentary quoted by the Telex edition.
"We know that Ukrainians are very nervous [...] if they are blackmailing us, we cannot be so stupid as to let it go. We did not do what we did by accident, we will not return their money. The money will remain here for now, we are waiting for the opening of the oil pipeline and for new Ukrainian cash supplies through Hungary," the minister said.
Late in the evening of March 9, the Hungarian Official Gazette published a government decree signed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The document states that the Hungarian authorities were unable to establish ownership of the property seized from Ukrainian cash collectors on the spot.
According to the resolution, the National Audit Office must conduct an investigation within 60 days into the origin of the seized property, its purpose and purpose of use.
At the same time, the leader of the parliamentary faction of the ruling Fidesz party, Máté Kocsis, submitted a bill to the parliament. The document provides for the seizure of the seized money and valuables of Oschadbank until the investigation is completed.
What is known about Hungary's claims against Druzhba?
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that he would not compromise with Ukraine and would end the Ukrainian blockade of the Druzhba oil pipeline by force.
On March 6, the Hungarian government gave Ukraine three days to resume transit of russian oil or allow a group of inspectors to enter the country to inspect the Druzhba pipeline.
Detention of Oschadbank's cash collectors in Hungary
On the morning of March 6, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Hungary had captured 7 employees of Oschadbank who were traveling with money on a collection flight from Austria. Hungarian law enforcement agencies hid two stolen Oshchadbank collection vehicles on the closed territory of the Anti-Terrorist Center. The amount of valuables in the stolen cars was USD 40 million, EUR 35 million, and 9 kg of gold.
In turn, Oschadbank stated that the transportation of funds and valuables was carried out directly by the bank within the framework and pursuant to an international agreement with Raiffeisen Bank, Austria.
On the evening of March 6, Ukraine secured the return of seven cash collectors detained by Hungary.
In addition, the National Police of Ukraine launched criminal proceedings on the fact of the abduction of Ukrainian citizens and a company car of JSC Oschadbank in Hungary.
How much gold did the Oschadbank cashiers detained in Hungary have?
The amount of valuables in the stolen cars of Oschadbank was USD 40 million, EUR 35 million, and 9 kg of gold.
Oshchadbank JSC demands from Hungary to return the collection vehicles and valuables that the country illegally seized.
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