Does Ukraine have to repair Druzhba pipeline? EU clarifies
Illustrative photo: Russia damaged the Druzhba oil pipeline (Getty Images)
The European Union has not imposed any demands or deadlines on Ukraine to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, through which Hungary and Slovakia receive oil from Russia, European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said during a briefing.
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She noted that the European Commission is in contact with the authorities of Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hungary to gain clarity on the timeline for repairing the pipeline.
According to Itkonen, the EU is not pushing or setting any deadlines for Ukraine.
She also stressed that Russia has strategically and systematically destroyed Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. At the same time, Ukraine, with assistance from the European Union, is making extraordinary efforts to ensure hospitals and homes have heat and to allow industry to continue operating.
Sky News previously reported alleged pressure from the EU on Ukraine regarding repairs to the Druzhba pipeline. According to the outlet, the EU wanted Ukrainian officials to provide a timeline for restoring the pipeline.
Damage to Druzhba
On January 27, Russian forces struck an energy facility in the Lviv region. According to unconfirmed reports, the attack may have targeted the pipeline that transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. This information was not officially confirmed.
Later, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha pointed out that Hungary had made no statement accusing Russia of damaging the Druzhba pipeline.
Meanwhile, officials in Budapest began accusing Ukraine of refusing to repair Druzhba for political reasons. Against this backdrop, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that his country would suspend diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine.
