After missile strikes by Russia at the end of January on the Druzhba pipeline, which led to a halt in oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, leaders of the European Union initiated negotiations with Ukraine and member states regarding the restoration of energy resource transit.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Technical Support and Funding from the EU
In a joint statement released on March 17, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel noted that the EU has offered Ukraine both technical support and funding for the restoration of the pipeline’s operation. The Ukrainian side has already accepted this proposal, and European experts are ready to begin work shortly.
“The EU has offered Ukraine technical support and funding. The Ukrainian side welcomed and accepted this proposal. European experts are ready to start work immediately,” the joint statement reads.
Ukraine’s Position and Disputes over Damages
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized in a corresponding letter that Ukraine remains a reliable energy partner for the EU. He also rejected accusations that Ukraine is deliberately obstructing the transportation of oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
Since the onset of the full-scale aggression, the EU has imposed an embargo on the purchase of Russian oil. However, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria were granted a reprieve due to their dependence on the pipeline, as these countries do not have access to the sea and cannot import oil by tanker. Subsequently, Austria was able to diversify its supply sources.
The Druzhba pipeline remains a key route for transporting Russian oil to Europe, particularly to Hungary and Slovakia. Ukrainian officials assert that the pipeline was damaged as a result of Russian shelling, while Hungarian and Slovak representatives deny this. In particular, the Hungarian side stated that satellite data shows no technical or operational obstacles to the immediate return of the Druzhba to normal operation.
On March 11, Hungary’s Deputy Minister of Energy Gábor Čepel reported the dispatch of a Hungarian delegation for negotiations regarding the restoration of the pipeline’s operation and assessment of its condition. According to him, the main goal of the trip is to protect Hungary’s interests in the negotiations and ensure the resumption of oil transportation.
At the same time, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted that it is aware of the entry of a group of Hungarian citizens into Ukraine “under general rules,” but these individuals do not have official delegation status, and no official meetings are planned.