Hungary returns seized Oschadbank cash and gold to Ukraine

“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,” the head of state said.

He recalled that Hungary had then unlawfully detained Ukrainian cash-in-transit officers. The president added that Ukraine brought the people back earlier, and now the funds and valuables are already on Ukrainian territory in full.

“I am grateful to Hungary for its constructive approach and civilized step. I thank everyone on Ukraine’s team who fought for a fair decision and defended the interests of our state and our people,” Zelenskyy said.

Scandal over the seizure of Oschadbank property

On March 6, 2026, two Oschadbank vehicles were illegally detained in Hungary while transporting currency and 9 kg of gold. The bank reported that the value of the cargo was $40 million and €35 million.

The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán initiated an investigation on suspicion of money laundering, and the country’s parliament adopted a law on the seizure of these assets until the investigation is completed. Kyiv called Budapest’s actions theft and threatened accountability for those responsible.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed that all those involved in the crime would be held accountable. Oschadbank published a demand to return the unlawfully detained vehicles and funds and stressed that the transportation was carried out within the framework of an international agreement with Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank.

After the victory of the opposition Tisza party in the parliamentary elections on April 12 and the change of power in Hungary, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry on April 13 lifted its recommendation for citizens to refrain from traveling to that country.