Druzhba pipeline restarts Russian oil flows to Europe, unblocking E.U. loan for Kyiv
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Russian oil resumed flowing through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline after months of halt, enabling Hungary to lift its veto on a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.
- The Druzhba pipeline, damaged by a Russian drone strike, had stopped oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia, both heavily reliant on Russian oil and previously blocking the loan.
- Following the pipeline restart, EU ambassadors approved the loan, with formal sign-off expected by Thursday, supporting Ukraine’s financial liquidity through 2026-2027.
- Hungary’s upcoming government, led by Peter Magyar, has pledged not to block EU funds for Kyiv, marking a shift from Viktor Orban’s pro-Russia stance.
- Meanwhile, Germany confirmed it will no longer receive Kazakh crude via the Druzhba pipeline from May, as Russia plans to halt Kazakhstan’s oil exports through this route.
