Mar 6 β€’ 00:01 UTC πŸ‡«πŸ‡· France Le Figaro

Ukraine accuses Hungary of having taken seven employees of a Ukrainian bank hostage in Budapest

Ukraine has accused Hungary of taking seven employees of a Ukrainian bank hostage in Budapest.

Ukraine has raised serious allegations against Hungary, claiming that the Hungarian authorities have taken seven Ukrainian nationals hostage. This accusation was made by Andrii Sybiga, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, who expressed concern over the unknown reasons behind this action as well as the current health status of the detained individuals. The apprehended individuals are reported to be employees of Oschadbank, a state bank, who were in Budapest operating bank vehicles that were transporting cash between Austria and Ukraine.

The situation escalated as Sybiga labeled the actions of the Hungarian authorities as an act of 'state terrorism' and extortion. He demanded the immediate release of the Ukrainian citizens, emphasizing the serious nature of the allegations. The incident raises significant geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Hungary, especially considering the ongoing war in Ukraine and the complexities of regional relationships in Eastern Europe supporting or opposing Ukraine's sovereignty.

This development is critical as it could affect diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Hungary. Given Hungary's often ambivalent stance towards Ukraine in light of the broader regional security issues, such incidents might complicate the already tense dynamics. The international community, particularly EU bodies, may need to address this situation to prevent further escalation and protect the interests of Ukrainian citizens abroad.

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