Ukraine to restore the “Druzhba” pipeline using European funds: what is known
17 March 17:18
Ukraine has accepted the European Union’s proposal for financial and technical support to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was damaged by Russian strikes.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X and a statement by the European Council.
According to her, European experts are already ready to begin work. Von der Leyen cited ensuring energy security for all European citizens as Europe’s priority.
“The EU has offered Ukraine technical support and funding. Ukrainians welcomed this proposal and accepted it. European experts are available immediately,” she said.
Von der Leyen also emphasized that the EU will continue working on alternatives to Russian oil for Central and Eastern European countries.
A joint statement by von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa notes that following Russian strikes on the “Druzhba” pipeline, the European Union began “intensive negotiations” with European states and Ukraine regarding the restoration of oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia.
Restoration of the Brody station
In addition, the European Council released a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who reported that repair work on the bypass pipeline is nearing completion.
“We expect that in about a month and a half, the Brody pumping station will resume its technical operation. This will ensure the full restoration of flows, provided, of course, that there are no further attacks from Russia,” the document states.
Zelenskyy noted that preliminary technical assessments indicate that the damaged oil storage tank cannot be repaired. For this reason, Ukraine is considering the construction of underground storage infrastructure as a long-term and more sustainable solution.
Orbán’s Ultimatum and the EU’s Position
As a reminder, the situation surrounding the Druzhba oil pipeline escalated after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán issued a fuel ultimatum to Ukraine, demanding the immediate resumption of oil transit.
It later emerged that Budapest had effectively set a deadline, giving Ukraine three days to restore the pipeline’s operation.
In response to the energy crisis in the region, the European Commission expressed its readiness to assist with repairs to the damaged section of the pipeline.
At the same time, experts point to political pressure from Hungary, where the issue of oil supplies is being used as a tool to blackmail Ukraine regarding loans and financial aid.
In addition, a Hungarian delegation led by Gabor Chapek, State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, arrived in Kyiv for negotiations regarding the oil pipeline.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Hungarian representatives do not have official delegation status and entered the country as ordinary tourists under the visa-free regime.
