The European Commission is providing technical support and funding to assist in the restoration of the Druzba oil pipeline, which has been out of service since January due to damage from a Russian attack, causing political tensions between Kyiv and Hungary.
The Druzba pipeline, which has been a vital route for Russian oil, has been non-operational since the end of January due to significant damage inflicted during a Russian military attack. As a result, both Hungary and Slovakia, which relied on this pipeline for their oil supplies, have found their relationships with Ukraine strained. Ukraine has accused Hungary of taking advantage of the pipeline's halted operations to claim a political victory at its expense, particularly in the context of the European Union sanctions imposed on Russia that provided exemptions for these countries.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU has offered technical assistance and funding to Ukraine to help restore the Druzba pipeline's operations. This assistance has been well received by Ukrainian officials, who recognize the importance of resuming oil supplies not just for their own national interests, but also for regional stability. Additionally, von der Leyen noted that European experts are ready to provide immediate support for these efforts.
Tensions escalated during the past weekend when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drew parallels between the restoration of the Druzba pipeline and the lifting of sanctions, indicating that any measure mitigating the impact of sanctions should be evaluated carefully. The ongoing friction in relations between Hungary and Ukraine highlights the complex dynamics at play in the EU, as member states navigate their interdependence on energy resources amid the ongoing geopolitical conflicts stemming from Russia's aggression.
