Hungarian FM says Ukraine fails to explain transport of millions in cash

Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister of Hungary, said Ukraine has yet to provide a clear explanation for the transportation of large amounts of cash through Hungarian territory, describing the situation as suspicious.

According to Szijjártó, Ukrainian authorities claimed the funds were part of a transaction between two banks. The minister expressed scepticism about the explanation, saying: “I think the last time something like this happened was in the Stone Age, when two banks settled payments between themselves in cash amounting to €1.1–1.2 billion.”

Szijjártó also pointed out that the armoured vehicles carrying the money were stopped on a highway leading toward southern Hungary rather than toward Ukraine.

“We know, we clearly see that Ukrainians are interfering, Ukrainians are interested in a certain outcome of the elections, and 500 billion forints are roaming around Hungary. How strong the connection between this is — that is what needs to be clarified now,” the minister said.

The incident occurred in early March, when Hungarian authorities detained two vehicles and seven employees of Oschadbank, a Ukrainian state-owned bank, who were accompanying them.

The cash couriers were transporting $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian citizens were later returned to their country, while Hungarian authorities confiscated the money. According to reports, Hungarian officials suspected the couriers of having links with the opposition.

By Tamilla Hasanova