Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that he does not believe in repairing the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline, which is significant for the transport of Russian oil to Europe. During a press briefing, he pointed out that providing Russian oil amidst the ongoing conflict, where Russia is killing Ukrainians, is a moral dilemma that he cannot reconcile. Zelenskyy's statements were made in the context of discussions with European leaders and EU officials, stressing a principled stance against facilitating Russian oil flow into Europe.

He argued that it is inconceivable that Ukraine should repair a pipeline that benefits Russia, particularly when the Kremlin’s actions have caused immense suffering in Ukraine. Zelenskyy mentioned that he had communicated this stance not only in private conversations but also as an official position to EU leadership. He expressed the complexities of the situation, where some EU member states, particularly Hungary, are dependent on Russian oil, complicating matters in the context of EU financial support and loan agreements.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy highlighted that there is a looming threat that a €90 billion loan from the EU could be blocked if Ukraine does not begin to take actions toward the repair of the pipeline. He underscored the need for this situation to be officially documented so that the rationale for his position is transparent and not misrepresented by other parties. This ongoing discourse underscores the geopolitical complexities faced by Ukraine amidst its struggle against Russian aggression and the pressures of seeking support from the European Union.