On 6 March, the acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Hungary in Ukraine was once again summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to provide explanations regarding the circumstances and legal grounds for the detention of employees of the state-owned Oschadbank, who were operating two cash-in-transit vehicles between Austria and Ukraine and transporting funds and valuables as part of regular transfers between state banks.

The Hungarian diplomat was informed that the Ukrainian side considers such actions unlawful, demands immediate consular access to the unlawfully detained citizens of Ukraine and their prompt release, as well as the return of state property.

The taking of hostages and the theft of property will not go unanswered. Ukraine reserves the right to take response measures, including the initiation of sanctions and other restrictive measures against those involved in the abduction of Ukrainian citizens, as well as the use of necessary international legal mechanisms.

We once again emphasize that attempts by Hungary to draw Ukraine into its electoral campaign and domestic political processes are unacceptable. Ukraine remains committed to developing good-neighbourly and partnership relations with all neighbouring EU and NATO member states and hopes for Hungary’s return to a constructive path of cooperation.