- Category
- Latest news
Hungary Holds Ukrainian State Funds Hostage Over Druzhba Pipeline Dispute
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Hungary's Minister of Transport, János Lázár, stated that the funds seized from Oschadbank’s cash transport will remain in Hungary until Ukraine resumes operation of the Druzhba pipeline.
This was reported by Telex, quoting the minister's comments.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
“We know that the Ukrainians are very nervous. […] If they try to blackmail us, we can't be foolish enough to leave this alone. We didn’t do what we did by accident, we will not return the money to them. The money will stay here for now, and we are waiting for the reopening of the pipeline and new Ukrainian financial shipments through Hungary,” said Lázár.
The minister explained that the move is clearly related to the oil blockade, adding, “If they are blackmailing us, we can’t be foolish enough to let it go.” He also noted that the amount of money seized each month exceeded the value of the oil being received.
“We didn’t do what we did by accident, we will not return the money to them,” Lázár emphasized.
He confirmed that the funds will remain in Hungary until the Druzhba pipeline is operational again and until new financial shipments from Ukraine come through the country.
“The longer it takes to resume the pipeline, the more thorough the investigations need to be,” the minister added, linking the return of the funds to the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials are moving toward a formal legal confrontation over the seizure of the Oschadbank convoy. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated that Kyiv is preparing specific judicial actions to recover the assets and ensure those involved are held accountable.
Ukraine is calling for the immediate return of the state-owned vehicles and their cargo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned these actions as “state banditry,” likening them to hostage-taking and theft of property.
While Ukraine prepares its lawsuits, Budapest has attempted to frame the seizure as a matter of financial transparency. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó claimed that his government is still seeking clarity on the volume of cash transiting the border, questioning the ultimate purpose of the funds.
“We are still waiting for an answer: why were $900 million and €420 million in cash moved through Hungary? What was it used for and in whose interests? How much of it was spent in Hungary and for whose benefit?” Szijjártó posted on X.
Previously, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has made a public pledge to uphold the blockade on European funding for Ukraine. This stance will persist until Kyiv resumes the flow of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
The Prime Minister clarified that there are no physical barriers hindering the operation of the Druzhba pipeline, framing the issue as a political decision made by Ukrainian authorities.
-7f54d6f9a1e9b10de9b3e7ee663a18d9.png)
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")