Ukraine says Druzhba pipeline running Russian oil to Europe can resume work
Al Jazeera • • world
Key Points:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that repairs on the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, damaged during Russia’s invasion, are complete and the pipeline is ready to resume oil flow to Europe.
- The pipeline’s reopening is expected to unblock a €90 million EU loan to Ukraine, which Hungary had previously vetoed due to its reliance on Russian oil.
- Hungary and Slovakia had accused Ukraine of delaying repairs, but Zelenskyy stated Ukraine fulfilled EU demands, linking the pipeline’s restart to the release of European financial support.
- EU officials anticipate a positive decision on the loan within 24 hours, with EU ambassadors set to approve the release during a Wednesday meeting.
- Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones targeted an oil-pumping facility in Russia’s Samara region, part of the Druzhba pipeline network, amid ongoing conflict tensions.
