EU Considers Funding for 'Druzhba' Pipeline Repairs Amid Hungarian and Slovakian Opposition

EU Aid for Ukraine's 'Druzhba' Oil Pipeline Repairs

According to ХВИЛЯ: The European Union is considering providing Ukraine with financial assistance to repair the 'Druzhba' oil pipeline. However, Hungary and Slovakia are blocking support for Kyiv and sanctions against the Russian Federation until crude oil supplies through this pipeline are restored. The European Commission could allocate funds through its budget support program for Ukraine, though the repair process for the damaged section is estimated to take between one and one and a half months. This pipeline is a critical piece of Soviet-era energy infrastructure that has been a focal point of geopolitical tension.

In January, Russia attacked the facility, causing a fire in a reservoir that took over 10 days to extinguish. The attack damaged equipment, power cables, transformers, and the leak detection system. Despite this, Hungary and Slovakia do not acknowledge the fact of the January Russian attack. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has stated he will block support for Kyiv, including €90 billion in EU loans, until supplies are restored.

Seizure of Cash-in-Transit Vehicles and Ukraine's Stance

On March 5, Hungarian law enforcement detained two cash-in-transit vehicles belonging to Ukraine's state-owned 'Oschadbank' that were traveling from Austria to Ukraine. The vehicles were transporting foreign currency and gold, and seven Ukrainian employees were taken hostage. Since the start of the full-scale war, the 'Druzhba' facility has been struck nearly two dozen times.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his position on restoring the pipeline: 'I will be frank: I would not restore it. That is my position, and I have shared it with European leaders.'

He also emphasized that the decision on the situation would depend on EU countries: 'We will prepare everything, and the decision will be up to the EU countries.'

Furthermore, the European Commission is negotiating with Kyiv regarding the possibility of sending a fact-finding mission to assess the damage at the facility. Hungary has noted that it lacks military force for pressure but possesses political and financial tools which it will use to achieve its goals.

The situation surrounding the 'Druzhba' pipeline and its restoration is a significant element of Ukraine's energy security and its relations with the European Union. The blocking of support by Hungary and Slovakia could complicate matters for Ukraine, which is already suffering from numerous attacks on its infrastructure. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy's stance on restoring the pipeline underscores Ukraine's drive for greater autonomy in energy matters and may signal potential shifts in the country's energy policy.