Ukraine has recovered millions in confiscated cash from Hungary, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday, calling the move "an important step" in relations between the two countries.
Writing on social media, Zelensky said the funds had been returned after being "seized by Hungarian special services" earlier this year.
In early March, the Hungarian forces stopped a routine cash transport travelling between Austria and Ukraine on Hungarian territory. They confiscated $40 million, €35 million in cash and 9 kilograms of gold. The funds were intended for Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank.
Hungarian officials had described the case as suspected money laundering, but did not present evidence to substantiate the claim. Seven Ukrainian escorts accompanying the transport were detained but later released back to Ukraine.
The incident came against a backdrop of strained relations between Kiev and Budapest under Russia-friendly Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Hungary had pressed Ukraine to resume transit of Russian oil and blocked a €90 billion European Union loan to Kiev. Politicians close to Orbán had also linked the seizure, more or less openly, to disruptions affecting the Druzhba oil pipeline.
Orbán has since been voted out of office. Zelensky and Orbán's designated successor, Péter Magyar, are planning to meet in early June in a bid to improve relations between the neighbouring countries.
It was not immediately clear in Budapest who had ordered the return of the seized assets. Magyar is due to take office as prime minister on Saturday.
