Hungary crosses dangerous line by detaining Ukrainians, says Ukraine's FM
Photo: Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Hungary’s decision to detain Ukrainian cash couriers crosses a dangerous line and mirrors Moscow’s actions, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
"Russian fingerprints are visible in Hungary’s provocations. There are borders that must not be crossed. There are rules that must be followed even in the most difficult political circumstances. What happened on March 5 in Budapest crossed those borders," the minister said.
He noted that Ukrainian cash couriers were carrying out a routine transfer of currency and bank metals between Raiffeisen Bank in Austria and Oschadbank in Ukraine. According to Sybiha, the closer the Hungarian elections approach, the more often Budapest uses the Ukrainian issue for its domestic politics.
"We have seen this more than once. But this time, the situation crossed a dangerous line. Budapest's positions increasingly reflect familiar Moscow intonations rather than European logic," the Foreign Minister pointed out.
Sybiha emphasized that all European capitals must understand that Moscow’s voice from the Hungarian chair is growing louder.
He assured that such actions by Hungary will not go without legal, sanctions-based, and international-legal responses.
"Ukrainian law enforcement has already opened criminal proceedings regarding the hostage-taking and theft of property. Ukraine reserves the right to take appropriate measures and responses," the minister said.
Hungary’s position
Earlier, Hungarian officials stated that the Ukrainian cash couriers were detained, allegedly on suspicion of money laundering. Budapest claimed that the operation was supervised by a retired SBU general.
As of 8:30 p.m., the detained Ukrainians have already been released and returned home.
More details about the scandal can be found in the RBC-Ukraine report.
