Ukrainian FM hints at sanctions against Hungary, says cash-in-transit case is used in Hungarian election campaign

The detention of seven Ukrainian citizens in Budapest was part of Hungary’s blackmail and the election campaign – Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Foreign Minister said in a social media post on Friday afternoon.

According to the minister, Orbán will make demands after the "morning show," as he believes that demands always follow kidnappings.

“Everyone who is responsible for taking and holding our citizens hostage will be held accountable. We reserve the right to take appropriate action, including initiating sanctions and other restrictive measures”,

Sybiha wrote. He asked Hungary to “stop dragging Ukraine into its domestic politics and electoral campaign”.

Ukraine expects a strong response from its allies. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is convening the foreign diplomatic corps "to brief them on Hungary’s unacceptable actions, refute absurd accusations, and urge support in demanding accountability", the minister wrote.

Andrii Sybiha announced on Friday morning that the Hungarian authorities had "effectively taken hostage" seven employees of the Ukrainian state savings bank. Sybiha said that the Ukrainian consuls were still not allowed to contact the seven Ukrainian citizens "being held hostage in Budapest. The Hungarian side has not provided any explanation for this."