Hungary has said it will expel seven Ukrainian nationals who were detained in Budapest earlier this week, deepening diplomatic tensions between Hungary and Ukraine. The Hungarian government’s announcement came from spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs on social media, saying the decision followed the detention of the individuals while they were moving cash and gold through Hungary.
Officials in Hungary say the seven men were stopped while transporting funds and valuables from Austria to Ukraine, and that some of those involved had military backgrounds. Hungarian authorities are treating the case as part of a criminal investigation, and the planned expulsion is pending as part of that process.
Kyiv has strongly condemned the detentions, accusing Budapest of effectively taking its citizens hostage and seizing state funds in transit. Ukrainian leaders describe the arrests as unlawful and politically motivated, underscoring already strained ties between the two neighbouring countries. Ukraine’s foreign ministry has demanded the immediate release of the seven individuals and access for Ukrainian consular officials to check on their wellbeing.
The incident has unfolded against the backdrop of broader diplomatic friction, including disputes over energy transit and Hungary’s stance on European Union support for Ukraine. Kyiv has warned that the expulsions and detentions could have wider repercussions for bilateral relations and cooperation within the EU context.
As the situation develops, both governments are facing scrutiny from international partners, with Ukraine pushing the issue at the European Union level and Hungary maintaining that its actions are lawful under domestic criminal proceedings.
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