Druzhba pipeline launch scheduled for Tuesday - Media
Photo: Druzhba (wikipedia.org)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has linked the unblocking of financial aid to Ukraine to the resumption of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. Key technical tests are expected on Tuesday, Bloomberg informs.
Ukraine awaits the return of oil
Technical tests of the pipeline are scheduled for Tuesday. Before it was damaged in January, it supplied oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the restoration of this route is seen as a critical factor for further decisions within the EU.
The relaunch of the Druzhba pipeline is expected to unlock Ukraine’s access to the necessary funding.
Hungary’s condition and the EU’s position
The loan for Ukraine was approved by EU leaders back in December, but its disbursement has been held up by Budapest’s position. Viktor Orbán has linked support to the resumption of oil supplies.
On Sunday, the Hungarian government said it was ready to lift the blockade as early as this week if transit is restored. The issue is expected to be discussed at the level of EU ambassadors.
Pressure due to lack of funds
Financing remains critically important for Ukraine amid the ongoing war.
Additional strain is caused by reduced support from the United States following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2025. According to estimates, Kyiv’s available resources may last only until June.
Slovakia softens its position
Slovakia has stated it does not intend to undermine EU unity on the loan issue, backing away from previous threats to block it.
Earlier, Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the situation around the Druzhba pipeline and accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of delaying repairs, but Kyiv rejected these claims.
Phasing out Russian oil
After 2022, most EU countries stopped purchasing Russian oil, though Hungary and Slovakia received temporary exemptions.
The European Commission plans to fully phase out the remaining supplies by the end of 2027 at the latest.
According to available information, supplies of Russian oil to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline may resume in the near future, as infrastructure is currently being prepared to restart operations after a prolonged pause.
