Hungary Returns €82M Cash, Gold to Ukraine's Oschadbank

Hungarian authorities have returned cash and gold valued at approximately 82 million euros, seized in March from a convoy belonging to Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on May 6.

The assets, consisting of 40 million euros, 35 million euros and 9 kilograms of gold, were taken on March 5 near Budapest by Hungarian counterterrorism forces from two armored vehicles transporting the shipment from Austria's Raiffeisen Bank to Oschadbank's headquarters in Kyiv. Seven Ukrainian bank employees accompanying the convoy were detained for more than 24 hours before being expelled from Hungary. The vehicles had been returned earlier, but the funds and gold remained held for up to 60 days pending a money laundering investigation ordered by then-Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Zelenskyy described the return as "an important step in relations with Hungary." In a social media statement, he said, "I am grateful to Hungary for its constructive approach and civilized step. I thank everyone on Ukraine's team who fought for a fair decision and defended the interests of our state and our people."

Ukraine described the shipment as a routine banking transfer in...