Ukrainian President says damaged Russian oil pipeline to Europe is repaired and ready for operation.
KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has completed repairs on a damaged section of the Druzhba oil pipeline. The pipeline, which carries Russian oil to parts of Europe, is now ready to resume operations.
Zelensky stated the work was finished on the section damaged by a Russian strike in late January. He warned that Moscow’s forces could attack the energy infrastructure again.
The pipeline has been central to a standoff involving Ukraine, Hungary, and the European Union. Hungary’s outgoing leader Viktor Orban used a blocked EUR 90 million EU loan for Ukraine as leverage to pressure Kyiv on resuming deliveries.
Hungary and Slovakia, both sympathetic to the Kremlin, had accused Kyiv of delaying the repairs. Kyiv requires the EU funds to address budget shortfalls but has secured alternative financing during the impasse.
An EU official indicated that member states hope to finally approve the blocked loan for Ukraine. Zelensky urged continued sanctions pressure on Russia and further diversification of Europe’s energy supplies.
“Europe must be independent from those who seek to destroy or weaken it,” he said.
