A group of 35 Members of the European Parliament has sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for a response to the actions of the Hungarian government toward Ukraine. The issue concerns the detention of Ukrainian nationals and the confiscation of money and gold belonging to the state-owned Oschadbank.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported this after publishing a photo of the letter on X. In their appeal, the MEPs expressed “deep concern” over the actions of the Hungarian authorities.
The letter states that on March 5 Hungarian authorities detained Ukrainian cash-in-transit teams and confiscated assets belonging to Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank. According to the lawmakers, the assets include approximately €35 million, $40 million and nine kilograms of gold.
The authors of the letter described these actions as “illegal, provocative and unacceptable,” stressing that they contradict the principles of good neighbourly relations and the rules of the European Union.
The MEPs also said that such steps by the Hungarian government undermine European solidarity at a time when Ukraine is resisting Russian aggression and needs support.
The letter calls on the European Commission to take active steps to resolve the issue urgently and ensure that the money and gold are returned to their rightful owner, Oschadbank.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha thanked the Members of the European Parliament for their stance, stating that “Hungary’s lawlessness has crossed all possible lines” and must receive a principled response from Europe.