Ukraine will demand compensation for attack on cash-in-transit workers in Hungary

Ukraine does not consider the matter of valuables seized by Hungary from Oschadbank's cash-in-transit vehicles to be closed and will demand compensation.

Source: European Pravda, citing a comment from National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Governor Andrii Pyshny

Details: The NBU governor welcomed Hungary's justified step in finally returning the funds and valuables but expressed hope that this incident will receive a proper assessment, as the actions of the Hungarian side towards the Ukrainian cash-in-transit workers were unlawful.

"Together with Oschadbank and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we will continue to make efforts and facilitate an objective investigation of all circumstances of these events and adequate compensation for the physical and moral damage caused to Oschadbank's property and employees," Andrii Pyshny stated.

He added that the first line of measures planned involves actions by the bank and its legal advisers, which will focus on questions of compensation for damages and the lifting of unlawful restrictions on EU territory.

The second line will involve the NBU's engagement with a range of competent bodies, including the European Commission and the European Central Bank.

"We continue communication and will ensure the maximum level of cooperation with the relevant structures in order to clarify all circumstances, fully restore the violated rights, and compensate for the damages caused," Pyshny stated.

"We have already received support for our public position: ECB President Christine Lagarde shares our arguments and emphasises the risks of such a situation for the euro as an international currency. This assessment encourages us to continue our work, obtain a proper assessment and take adequate response measures to prevent such incidents in the future and avoid negative consequences for the financial stability of Ukraine and the EU as a whole," the NBU governor added.

Background:

• On 6 May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the Hungarian side had returned the funds and valuables belonging to Oschadbank that had been seized by Hungary's National Anti-Terrorism Centre in Budapest on 6 March, together with the bank's cash-in-transit teams.
• Hungary subsequently released the Ukrainian cash-in-transit workers and adopted a law on the seizure of currency and valuables from Oschadbank's vehicles "for the purposes of an investigation".
• Ukraine's Ambassador to Hungary Fedir Shandor stressed that in this case it is important not only to recover the property but also to ensure that those responsible face punishment.

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