Ukraine has completed repairs on the Druzhba oil pipeline
21 April 18:23
Ukraine has completed repair work on the damaged section of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was hit by a Russian strike. The pipeline can resume operations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announcedthis on social media, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
He wrote that, “as agreed in communications with the European Union,” Ukraine has completed repair work on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged by a Russian strike.
“Although no one can guarantee right now that Russian strikes on the pipeline’s infrastructure will not happen again, our specialists have ensured the basic conditions for resuming the operation of the pipeline system and equipment,” he noted.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine expects the EU to release a €90 billion loan following these actions. He expressed hope that partners would take corresponding steps regarding the clusters for Ukraine, as Kyiv has already fulfilled its part of the commitments regarding the first clusters.
“In addition, we must continue to apply systematic sanctions pressure on Russia for this war and work on further diversifying energy supplies to Europe. Europe must be independent of those who seek to destroy or weaken it,” Zelenskyy said.
Prior to this, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that the Druzhba oil pipeline would resume operations in the coming days, which would finally allow the €90 billion loan to Ukraine to be released.
On April 21, media outlets reported that the European Union had launched the final procedure for granting Ukraine a €90 billion loan.
During a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that they plan to restore the Druzhba pipeline by the end of April, though not at full capacity, but enough for normal operation.
On December 19, 2025, EU leaders approved a decision to jointly finance a €90 billion loan for Ukraine over the next two years. Under the agreement, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are not required to participate in this program.
Later, current Prime Minister Viktor Orbán violated the agreement and blocked the loan, blackmailing Ukraine and demanding the resumption of operations on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was damaged as a result of a Russian attack in January. Hungary and Slovakia received Russian oil via this pipeline.
The day before, the leader of the Hungarian Tisa Party and Hungary’s future Prime Minister Péter Magyar called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to resume oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, stating that “this is not a game.”
Mátyás called on the Ukrainian side to resume supplies of crude oil through the pipeline as soon as possible after repairs are completed.
