On March 18, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi remarked that there is no information regarding an EU mission to inspect the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline. This statement follows recent media reports and amidst escalating tensions surrounding the pipeline's functionality. Tykhyi clarified that there are no dates or details agreed upon regarding any such missions, indicating a lack of communication regarding this issue between Ukrainian authorities and EU representatives.

The Druzhba pipeline, a critical route for transporting Russian crude across Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia, has recently come under scrutiny after being damaged during a Russian military strike in late January. The incident has fueled accusations from Bratislava and Budapest, which allege that Ukraine is deliberately stalling transit of oil through the pipeline, possibly in response to the ongoing conflict with Russia. This situation underscores the complexities of energy supplies in the region amidst the ongoing war, as countries grapple with securing their energy needs.

On March 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine communicated acceptance of the EU's offer for technical support and funding to restore the pipeline's operations, a development highlighted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who mentioned that European experts are ready to assist immediately. The discord regarding the Druzhba pipeline highlights the broader implications of Ukraine’s energy policy in the wake of geopolitical tensions, and the extent to which international support can foster restoration amid conflict-related challenges.