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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline will be completed during the spring, following damage caused by a drone attack in the west of the country.
According to official statements, recovery work on the Druzhba oil pipeline has progressed considerably in recent weeks. This infrastructure is key to transporting Russian oil to Central Europe, especially to countries such as Hungary and Slovakia.
Zelensky stated that Ukraine will meet its commitment to restore energy transit within the planned timeframe. However, he warned that certain components, such as the destroyed storage tanks, require more time due to the extent of the damage.
Repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline move forward amid tensions.
Since late January, Hungary and Slovakia have not received crude oil through the Druzhba system. The disruption occurred after Russian drones struck infrastructure on Ukrainian territory.
This supply cut has increased pressure on countries dependent on Russian oil, creating uncertainty in the region’s energy markets.
The delay in repairs has led to a political dispute between Ukraine and Hungary. While Budapest accuses Kyiv of slowing the work, the Ukrainian government rejects these claims and maintains that the work is proceeding at the technically feasible pace.
Likewise, the situation has escalated at the European level. Hungary has blocked a European Union financial aid package for Ukraine, making its approval conditional on the resumption of oil flows.
The operational status of the Druzhba oil pipeline has become a key element in negotiations between Ukraine and the European Union. The reactivation of energy supplies is linked to major economic and political decisions.
In this context, completing the repairs during the spring could ease tensions and partially restore stability in hydrocarbon transit to Europe.
Source: Reuters
Photo: shutterstock