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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Tuesday that the damaged Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil to Europe, has been fully repaired and is ready to resume operations.
The announcement follows months of controversy surrounding the pipeline’s damage, a situation that has sparked tensions between Ukraine, Hungary, and the European Union.
“Ukraine has completed repair work on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged by a Russian strike. The pipeline can resume operation,” Zelensky explained.
The pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory and delivers oil to Slovakia and Hungary, was hit by Russian strikes in late January, exacerbating the ongoing energy conflict.
Hungary, which continues to import Russian oil via the pipeline, has been at the centre of this standoff, with its outgoing nationalist leader, Viktor Orban, holding up a critical 90-million-euro loan to Ukraine. Hungary used this loan as leverage to pressure Kyiv into resuming deliveries, accusing Ukraine of delaying the repairs.
Zelensky also warned that Moscow’s forces could target the infrastructure again, heightening concerns about further instability. Despite this, Ukraine has made significant progress in securing alternative funding to plug budgetary gaps, even as Hungary has stalled the loan’s release. EU countries are expected to give the final green light to the loan on Wednesday, potentially lifting Hungary’s veto.
“The EU must continue its systematic sanctions pressure on Russia over this war,” Zelensky emphasised in his statement. “We must also work on diversifying energy supplies to Europe. Europe must be independent from those who seek to destroy or weaken it,” he added.
The resolution of this dispute represents a small victory for Ukraine amidst its broader struggle for European and international support in the face of Russian aggression.
