Kyiv reacted to the Hungarian Parliament’s bill proposing a two-month seizure of money and gold seized from Oschadbank. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga called these actions a plunge into a maelstrom of lawlessness.
He posted it on X, emphasizing that after the theft of assets from Ukraine’s state bank Hungary is trying to legalize them. This has become part of the discussion about international law and the protection of citizens.
“After the theft of the Ukrainian state bank’s money, they are now proposing a bill to ‘legalize’ the illegal seizure. This is an explicit acknowledgment that Hungary’s actions have no legal grounds.”
– Andriy Sibiga
He added that Hungarian officials “are simply adding lawlessness to lawlessness.”
“He added that Hungarian officials ‘are simply adding lawlessness to lawlessness’.”
– Andriy Sibiga
Kyiv’s reaction and potential international consequences
The top diplomat explained that such treatment of Ukrainian citizens violates the European Convention on Human Rights and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations when it concerns interactions with Ukrainian citizens.
According to Ukrinform, the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Fidesz, submitted a bill regarding the seizure of cash and gold from Oschadbank.
In the early hours of March 6, the foreign minister stated that in Budapest Hungarian authorities took seven Ukrainian citizens – Oschadbank employees – and abducted the money they were transporting. During the day, the Hungarian tax authority confirmed the detention of seven Oschadbank cash-in-transit couriers and two vehicles with cash, stating that it is pursuing criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering.
Sibiga emphasized that such actions were unfounded and violated international law. According to him, the Hungarian authorities effectively “robbed two Ukrainian armored bank vehicles.”
“The Hungarian authorities robbed two Ukrainian armored bank vehicles.”
– Andriy Sibiga
The National Bank of Ukraine advised banks to adjust routes and avoid traversing territories of countries with a higher risk of blocking shipments.