Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that the repairs to the Druzhba pipeline, critical for transporting Russian oil to Eastern Europe, will take longer than anticipated. This follows significant damage to the pipeline caused by Russian strikes, which have suspended deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia since January 27. Zelensky emphasized that, despite requests from the European Union and protests from Hungary, the situation cannot be remedied quickly. He noted that the strikes have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, complicating restoration efforts.

The impact of these disruptions has been considerable, as they directly affect oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia, which rely on the Druzhba pipeline for energy supplies. Zelensky's remarks come amidst heightened tensions in the region regarding energy security and dependency on Russian oil. Both Hungary and Slovakia have expressed discontent, blaming Ukraine for the prolonged outage, which may strain relations and lead to further complications in energy procurement for these countries as Europe strives to reduce its reliance on Russian energy.

In light of these circumstances, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv to discuss the energy crisis and support mechanisms for Ukraine. The ongoing conflict and attacks substantially hinder repair efforts, contributing to uncertainty in the energy market and potentially prolonging the reliance on alternative sources for the affected countries. This situation highlights the broader implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine, especially with respect to energy stability and geopolitical relations in Europe.