In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Hungary has returned millions in cash and gold to Ukraine, signaling a major shift in the previously icy relationship between the two neighbors.
The assets, belonging to Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank, were seized by Hungarian authorities in early March 2026 under the administration of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The return of these funds is being viewed as the clearest evidence yet of a “thaw” following the election of Hungary’s new leader, Péter Magyar.
The Returned Assets
According to a statement from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X (formerly Twitter), the returned shipment includes:
- €35 million in cash
- $40 million in cash
- 9 kilograms of gold
President Zelenskyy hailed the move as “an important step in relations with Hungary,” a sharp contrast to the rhetoric of just two months ago when Kyiv accused Budapest of “state terrorism.”
Background: The Budapest Convoy Incident
The diplomatic crisis erupted in March when a convoy transporting the assets from Austria to Ukraine was intercepted in Budapest. Hungarian authorities detained seven Ukrainian nationals and confiscated the cargo, sparking international outrage.
The Oschadbank chairman, Yuriy Katsion, remarked on Wednesday that the seizure was a “violation of international norms,” but thanked the current Hungarian government for its “constructive approach” in resolving the matter.
A New Era in Budapest
The shift in policy follows the April 12 election victory of Péter Magyar, who unseated long-time Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Magyar has moved quickly to distance himself from Orbán’s obstructionist policies toward Ukraine and the European Union.
Key signs of the improving relationship include:
- Veto Lifted: Hungary recently dropped its opposition to a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.
- Energy Cooperation: Tensions over the Druzhba oil pipeline have subsided, with shipments to Hungary resuming in late April.
- EU Integration: Magyar is actively working to unfreeze EU funds for Hungary by aligning more closely with Brussels on foreign policy and the rule of law.
Strategic Implications
The normalization of ties between Budapest and Kyiv removes one of the most persistent obstacles to a unified European front against Russian aggression. For Ukraine, the return of the Oschadbank funds provides a much-needed injection of liquidity into its wartime economy. For Hungary, it marks the end of diplomatic isolation within the EU and NATO.
