BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) 鈥� A shipment of Ukrainian cash and gold worth around $82 million that Hungary seized earlier this year has been returned to Ukraine’s state Oschadbank, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday.
The seizure of the valuables, which were being transported through Hungary by two armored cars when Hungarian counter-terrorism authorities , caused outrage in Ukraine, where officials accused of acting illegally, and of using the seizure as a tool in Prime Minister Viktor Orb谩n鈥檚 .
The neighboring countries had already been in a over Hungary鈥檚 access to Russian oil through a pipeline that crosses Ukrainian territory.
But on Wednesday, Zelenskyy wrote on social media that the return of the valuables represented 鈥渁n important step in relations with Hungary鈥� after Orb谩n was defeated in a last month that has raised hopes the incoming government will pursue a less antagonistic policy toward Kyiv.
鈥淚 am grateful to Hungary for its constructive approach and civilized step,鈥� Zelenskyy wrote. 鈥淚 thank everyone on Ukraine鈥檚 team who fought for a fair decision and defended the interests of our state and our people.鈥�
At the time of the seizure, Hungarian authorities said they suspected money laundering, and 鈥� which included $40 million and 35 million euros in cash, as well as 9 kilograms (19.8 pounds) of gold 鈥� be held in custody for up to 60 days while his country鈥檚 tax authority investigated.
Hungary鈥檚 tax authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Ukrainian bank employees traveling with the shipment were held by Hungarian authorities for over 24 hours before being expelled from the country.
Ukrainian officials said the shipment was a routine transfer of assets between state banks, and accused Orb谩n鈥檚 government of blackmailing Kyiv to try and pressure it to through the Druzhba pipeline, which had been damaged by a Russian drone strike.
But Orb谩n ordered the tax authority to determine the origin, destination and intended use of the shipment, as well as the identity of the seven expelled Ukrainians 鈥渁nd their possible links to criminal or terrorist organizations.鈥�
Orb谩n also suggested without providing evidence the shipment may have been intended to fund his primary political opponent, the , which ultimately won with a two-thirds majority in parliament during last month’s election.
Orb谩n’s government had blocked a major, 90-billion euro ($106-billion) European Union loan to Ukraine over the interruption of Russian oil via the Druzhba. But once those flows resumed following Orb谩n’s electoral defeat, Hungary and allowed the loan to go through.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
