Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Urges Citizens to Avoid Travel to Hungary Due to Provocation Risks

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) has officially called on Ukrainian citizens to refrain from traveling to Hungary, as well as from registering as observers for the parliamentary elections set to take place on April 12, 2026. This decision is based on the potential risks of provocations and the unpredictable behavior of the Hungarian government.

This information was confirmed by the spokesperson for the MFA of Ukraine, Georgiy Tikhiy, during a briefing held on Wednesday, April 8. He noted that a previous warning had already been issued to Ukrainians to avoid travel to Hungary, and this warning remains in effect due to the uncertainty surrounding the situation in the country.

“We have previously announced a call for Ukrainians to avoid travel to Hungary. It remains in effect simply because we do not know what is on the mind of the Hungarian government,” Tikhiy stated. He emphasized that the situation has been complicated by a prior incident where Hungarian authorities unjustly detained two vehicles belonging to the cash collection service of Oschadbank and seven Ukrainian citizens who were employees of this service.

Tikhiy underscored that the MFA, as a responsible state institution, has openly warned citizens about possible risks and advised, where possible, against visiting Hungary. The ministry has also formally called for refraining from sending observers to the elections in that country. “Simply understanding that officially Budapest, unfortunately, has made Ukraine a topic of the election campaign, manipulation, and constant provocations. We are officially addressing and urging not to go, not to send observers,” he added.

This warning applies not only to activists of non-governmental organizations but also to employees of international structures. The parliamentary elections in Hungary are scheduled for April 12, 2026, during which members of the new National Assembly will be elected. Viktor Orban, the leader of the Fidesz party who has served as Prime Minister since 2010, is emphasizing the issue of Ukraine in his election campaign.

It is worth noting that on March 6, it became known about the unjustified detention by Hungarian police of two vehicles belonging to Oschadbank’s cash collection service, which contained significant sums of money—$40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that the Hungarian authorities had effectively taken Ukrainians hostage and stolen money.

Subsequently, the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary announced the detention of seven Oschadbank employees on suspicion of money laundering. The National Police of Ukraine has opened criminal proceedings regarding the kidnapping of Ukrainian citizens and the service vehicle of Oschadbank.

On the evening of March 6, seven employees of Oschadbank’s cash collection service, who had been unlawfully detained in Hungary, returned to Ukraine. According to the head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshny, one of the detainees was hospitalized after being interrogated by Hungarian authorities.

On March 12, the press service of Oschadbank reported that the Hungarian side had returned the cash collection vehicles, but they were damaged. The cash and gold remain under arrest in Hungary, which has raised additional concerns among Ukrainian officials and citizens.