Zelenskyy: Repairs to Damaged 'Druzhba' Oil Pipeline Could Take Up to Two Months

Damage to the 'Druzhba' Oil Pipeline

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the 'Druzhba' oil pipeline was damaged by an aerial attack originating from the Russian Federation. He indicated that repairs to the pipeline could require up to two months to complete. These remarks were made during a closed-door briefing for journalists, which included the outlet 'Hlavkom'. The Druzhba pipeline is a critical piece of Soviet-era energy infrastructure that carries Russian oil to parts of Central Europe.

Zelenskyy's Broader Commentary

Zelenskyy made these comments against the backdrop of Hungary blocking a European Union decision to provide €90 billion in aid to Ukraine. He noted that the decision had been agreed upon by all 27 EU member states, but was subsequently blocked by one country, an action he deemed illegitimate.

“The decision on the €90 billion was made by all 27 countries. An agreement was reached. This is a decision that has already been adopted and must be implemented, because Europe's joint decisions must be carried out. Then one person blocked it. They did not have the right to do so, but they blocked it,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy emphasized that the issue of the 'Druzhba' pipeline has become part of the negotiation process concerning Ukraine's financial support and its EU membership bid. He called for the pipeline to be considered as a secondary point in these talks:

“If the issue is that 'Druzhba' is part of this entire negotiation process on financial support and Ukraine's membership in the EU, then we need to move on to the pipeline as the second point,” stated Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In response to accusations from Hungary's Prime Minister that Kyiv has failed to honor oil transit agreements, Zelenskyy stressed the need for Europe to first decide on purchasing and transiting Russian oil:

• “First, you yourselves decide that you want to buy Russian oil. And then you have a joint decision with America for today,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In the context of the pipeline situation, Zelenskyy also reported that Brussels has formally approached Kyiv with a proposal to deploy a special inspection mission to assess the condition of the 'Druzhba' pipeline. European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen confirmed this information.

The Ukrainian President summarized that while the pipeline's restoration is important, the discussion must also address Europe's rights regarding the purchase and transit of Russian oil:

• “Just in case, we provided a possible date for the technical restoration of 'Druzhba': up to two months. But I want everyone to understand that the date is the second point,” concluded Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The situation surrounding the 'Druzhba' pipeline and the blocked financial aid for Ukraine highlights the complex dynamics within the EU and the impact of external factors on regional energy security. The interaction between Ukraine and the EU, particularly regarding support during the war, is entering a new phase that demands active dialogue and concerted efforts from both sides to overcome existing obstacles. Discussions on restoring the pipeline could become a significant element in strengthening economic ties and stability in the region.