Ukraine accuses Hungary of taking seven people hostage
#Ukraine #Hungary #hostage #diplomatic incident #accusation #tensions #security
📌 Key Takeaways
- Ukraine alleges Hungary has taken seven individuals hostage.
- The accusation suggests a diplomatic or security incident between the two nations.
- Specific details about the individuals or circumstances are not provided in the article.
- The claim could escalate tensions in the region.
The employees were in two cars carrying $80m (£60m) worth of cash between Austria and Ukraine.
🏷️ Themes
International Relations, Hostage Crisis
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Original Source
Ukraine accuses Hungary of taking seven people hostage 3 hours ago Share Save Helen Sullivan BBC News Share Save Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has accused Hungarian authorities of taking hostage seven employees of Ukraine's state savings bank, Oschadbank. Writing on X, Sybiha said: "Today in Budapest, Hungarian authorities took seven Ukrainian citizens hostage. The reasons are still unknown, as well as their current well-being." The employees were in two cars carrying $80m (£60m) worth of cash between Austria and Ukraine. The authorities had sent a note demanding the employees' return, Sybiha said. In a statement, Oschadbank said the employees "were unjustifiably detained in Hungary" and that GPS data showed their vehicles in Budapest. The BBC has contacted the Hungarian government for comment. "The amount of valuables in the stolen cars amounted to 40 million US dollars, 35 million euros, 9 kg of gold," the Oschadbank statement continues. "Oschadbank demands the immediate release of its employees and property and their return to Ukraine." Hungary maintains close ties with Russia, and has consistently opposed military aid for Ukraine. Sybiha accused Hungary of "state terrorism and racketeering". "We are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money," Sybiha added on X. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for blocking a European aid package for Kyiv. Orban has accused Kyiv of imposing an "oil blockade" on Hungary by deliberately delaying the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline. Orban, who is trailing in opinion polls ahead of pivotal elections next month, has said Budapest will use "political and financial tools" to force Ukraine to reopen the pipeline carrying Russian oil to Hungarian refineries. Ukraine says the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes last month and its repair crews have been injured by further attacks. Druzhba is the main route for delivering Russian oil to Hungary an...
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