Kyiv proposed to the European Union to use alternative elements of the Ukrainian pipeline network, especially the Odesa-Brody pipeline, for the supply of Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary. The proposal is related to the damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline during the Russian attack, reported the Ukrainska Pravda portal with reference to a letter from the Ukrainian mission to the EU, writes TASR.
“In order to ensure the safety of oil supplies to European countries, especially to Hungary and Slovakia, it is proposed to consider the possibility of oil transportation using the existing Ukrainian oil and gas infrastructure. This logistics could be organized either through the Ukrainian oil pipeline system or by sea with subsequent transshipment in ports and transport via the Odesa-Brody oil pipeline further to the member states of the European Union,” the letter dated February 20 reads.
According to him there was significant damage to technological and auxiliary equipment on the Druzhba pipeline on January 27 as a result of a deliberate attack by Russia. Ukrainian diplomats informed the European Commission that experts are currently conducting a detailed technical inspection and assessing the possibilities of a quick restoration of oil transportation through this pipeline.
At the same time, Ukraine emphasized that continuous and stable operation of the oil infrastructure is only possible if Russia stops massive missile and drone attacks on energy facilities. Ukrainians risk their lives during emergency repairs, the country’s officials warned.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused Kyiv of political “blackmail”. On Wednesday, the Slovak government declared an oil emergency and threatened retaliatory measures if transit through the Družba pipeline is not resumed. At the same time, Orbán and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on Friday that Hungary will block an EU loan of 90 billion euros to Ukraine until the transit of Russian oil is restored.
