Ukraine expects Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline to resume in a month and a half
In a letter to Brussels dated 17 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that repair work on the damaged section of the oil pipeline is nearing completion. This concerns the resumption of Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, which were interrupted at the end of January.
According to Zelenskyy, in about a month and a half, the Brody pumping station will be able to resume pumping oil. This will allow transit to be fully restored, provided there are no new attacks from Russia.
Ukraine notes that the repairs have been complicated by significant damage to a key tank, as well as low temperatures.
Supply disruptions have caused tension between the parties. Hungary, which, along with Slovakia, has an exemption from EU sanctions, is delaying approval of a new package of sanctions against Russia and an emergency loan for Ukraine amounting to €90 billion.
In a letter, Zelenskyy appealed to the leadership of the European Commission and the European Council for technical assistance and funding. The European Union stated that its experts are ready to join the work immediately.