Incident in Budapest
On March 5, an incident occurred in Budapest where employees of Ukraine's Oschadbank and armored vehicles transporting valuables were detained. The Ukrainian side has already taken steps to secure the release of those held. Deputy Chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine, Oleksii Shaban, along with a bank team, is urgently traveling to Hungary to resolve the situation.
The detention took place during the transportation of currency and bank metals between an Austrian bank and Ukraine. It is noted that Ukrainian consuls have been unable to gain access to the Oschadbank cash-in-transit personnel, who are effectively being held. In response, Ukraine has sent an official note demanding the immediate release of the detainees.
We are monitoring the situation closely. We are also engaging with our partners and regulators on this matter, particularly regarding adherence to CIT (Cash-in-Transit) control procedures in the Eurozone and the corresponding actions of the Hungarian side. Ukrainian citizens will not be left alone in this situation. We demand that the Hungarian authorities provide official information on the reasons for detaining Oschadbank employees.
Andrii Pyshnyi, Chairman of the Board of Oschadbank
The situation remains under the control of the Ukrainian government, which is actively working to resolve the conflict and protect the rights of those detained.
The Importance of International Cooperation
This incident underscores the critical need for international cooperation in the financial sector and highlights the potential risks associated with cross-border transportation of valuables. The Hungarian authorities must provide detailed information on the circumstances of the detention, as this could impact relations between Ukraine and Hungary and affect trust in the institutions that ensure the security of financial operations in the region. This event occurs against a backdrop of complex diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries.