The European Union is considering the possibility of financial assistance to Ukraine for the repair of the Druzhba pipeline. This move could help unblock support for Kyiv from Hungary and Slovakia, which are currently delaying decisions on credit for Ukraine. This is reported by European Pravda.
According to Bloomberg, the European Commission may provide funds through a budget assistance mechanism for Ukraine and also offer technical expertise to assess the damage and restore the facility.
Repairing the Druzhba pipeline: why the EU is willing to help Ukraine
The damage to the pipeline occurred in January after a Russian attack. As a result of the strike, an oil storage tank caught fire, and the fire was extinguished after almost ten days.
According to the head of the state energy company Naftogaz Serhiy Koretsky, the following were damaged during the attack:
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the facility's equipment;
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power transmission cables;
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transformers;
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the oil leak detection system.
According to Bloomberg sources, since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has attacked the pipeline infrastructure almost twenty times. Repairs often had to be carried out during new shelling, which created dangers for workers.
Blocking assistance to Ukraine: the role of Hungary and Slovakia
After the incident, Hungary and Slovakia accused Ukraine of allegedly delaying oil supplies. At the same time, both countries questioned the extent of the damage and did not acknowledge the fact of the Russian attack on the facility.
In the European Union, this position was seen as an attempt to block decisions on financial support for Ukraine. According to diplomats, Budapest broke the promise given in December to support providing credit to Kyiv.
Moreover, Hungary does not agree to consider alternative routes for energy supply, including through Croatia, explaining that Russian oil is cheaper.
Currently, the European Commission is negotiating with Ukraine regarding the possible dispatch of a special mission to assess the damage to the Druzhba pipeline. It is expected that the results of such an inspection may influence further EU decisions regarding funding for repairs and supporting Ukraine.