Ukraine has completed repairs to the section of the Druzhba pipeline that was damaged in the Russian attack, and its operation can be resumed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported about it on the X social network, writes TASR.
“As agreed in the communication with the European Union, Ukraine completed the repairs of the section of the Druzhba pipeline that was damaged in the Russian attack. The pipeline can resume operation. Although at the moment no one can guarantee that Russia will not repeat attacks on the pipeline infrastructure, our specialists have ensured the basic conditions for the restoration of the operation of the pipeline system and equipment,” the Ukrainian president wrote.
Repair connected with the EU loan
Zelenskyi connected the repair of the oil pipeline with the unblocking of the payment of the 90 billion loan of the European Union and a shift in the accession negotiations. “In addition, we must continue to systematically pressure Russia with sanctions because of this war and work to further diversify energy supplies to Europe. Europe must be independent from those who seek to destroy or weaken it,” he added.
Oil has not flowed through the Družba pipeline to refineries in Hungary and Slovakia since January 27. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Sunday that Ukraine has indicated its readiness to resume supplies of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline as early as Monday if Budapest stops blocking the disbursement of an EU loan to Kyiv. Bloomberg later reported that technical tests of the pipeline were scheduled for Tuesday.
Pressure between the EU and Hungary
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kosová announced on Monday that the dispute over Družba could be resolved by Wednesday. Shortly after that, the Cypriot presidency in the EU Council announced that the EU countries will try to finally approve the release of the 90 billion loan for Ukraine on Wednesday. Until now, it has been blocked by Hungary due to interrupted deliveries via Druzhba.
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár and Prime Minister Robert Fico previously announced that Slovakia is ready to block the new sanctions package until oil supplies through Družba are restored. Bratislava does not block the mentioned loan.
In the elections in Hungary on April 12, the opposition party Tisza won convincingly. According to several analysts, its leader Péter Magyar, a likely future prime minister, may support the payment of the loan after taking office in exchange for unblocking frozen EU funds for Hungary.
