Brussels – Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially agreed to the European Union’s offer to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, the strategic infrastructure used by Moscow to transport oil to Hungary and Slovakia. According to a letter addressed by Volodymyr Zelensky to European leaders, the repair work is expected to be completed “within a month and a half.” In the Ukrainian president’s view, this work on the pipeline “will allow for the full restoration of flows” of crude oil, provided that it is carried out “obviously in the absence of further attacks from Russia.” Furthermore, Zelensky noted, “despite repeated massive strikes targeting oil pipeline infrastructure, Ukraine remains capable to offer alternative routes for the transit of non-Russian crude oil to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.”
In his letter, Zelensky directly addressed the dispute that has arisen with Budapest and Bratislava over the damage sustained by the Friendship Pipeline. Echoing the Ukrainian president’s words, a joint statement was issued today (17 March) by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, recalling that the EU has offered Kyiv “technical assistance and funding,” which Ukraine has “welcomed and accepted.” The timetable for the operation appears tight. European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho clarified during the daily press briefing that work can begin as soon as possible, given that “European experts are immediately available.” The primary objective for Costa and von der Leyen remains to “ensure energy security for all European citizens.” With this in mind, the two EU leaders confirmed that they “will continue to work with stakeholders to identify alternative routes for the transit of non-Russian crude oil to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.”
The crisis erupted following the Russian attacks on 27 January against the Druzhba pipeline, which had caused a disruption to supplies to Hungary and Slovakia. The outage triggered a severe diplomatic backlash. During the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 22 February, Budapest and Bratislava blocked the approval of new sanctions against Russia and the 90 billion euro mega-loan for Ukraine, thereby exerting strong pressure on Kyiv. The two countries had accused Ukraine of deliberately obstructing repairs, but Zelenskyy strongly rejected the accusations in his letter, calling them “unfounded.” The disruption, the president reiterated, “is the result of Russian terrorist attacks,” while emphasising that Ukraine is a “reliable energy partner for the EU and honours the commitments made to member states.”
With work now underway to repair the pipeline, the condition set by Hungary and Slovakia for lifting their veto on the financial aid package appears to have been met. In this regard, the European Commission’s chief spokesperson sent a clear message to the two Member States, noting that “there is a commitment at the European Council level from all leaders, without exception, who agreed to the loan.” The EU Commission, therefore, now expects “the commitment to be honoured, without linking it to further conditions.” In particular, “discussions are continuing” on the 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine: “We hope, and are confident, that we will soon see progress. We shall see. Ideally, the matter should be discussed within the European Council,” Pinho added.
“But from Budapest came a sharp response from Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. “Good morning, Ursula von der Leyen! After nearly 50 days, the EU Commission has noticed that two member states are under an oil blockade by Ukraine, now promising to resolve the situation. Do not be fooled. This is a political game,” he wrote on X. “Every step was coordinated between Kyiv and Brussels. Let’s not pretend that von der Leyen is solving a problem she was previously unaware of.
We call on Zelensky and von der Leyen to stop this political theatre. The oil blockade against Hungary must be lifted immediately!” the minister concluded.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
