Ukraine has completed restoration work on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged as a result of a Russian strike. This was reported by Slovo i Dilo, President Volodymyr Zelensky. The PromPolitInform portal informs.
According to the head of state, the pipeline is now ready to resume oil supplies.
“Although no one can guarantee that Russian strikes on the oil pipeline infrastructure will not be repeated, our specialists have provided the basic conditions for the restoration of the pipeline system and equipment,” Zelensky wrote.
The President expects that the fulfillment of repair obligations will contribute to the unlocking of the EU financial assistance package previously approved at the European Council level.
“But we hope that partners will also take appropriate steps regarding clusters for Ukraine – we have already completed our part of the work on the first clusters. In addition, it is worth continuing the systemic sanctions pressure on Russia for this war and work on further diversification of energy supplies to Europe,” he added.
Separately, Zelensky reported on the preparation of a meeting in the format of the energy “Ramstein”, where it is planned to discuss financing the restoration of energy infrastructure and strengthening its protection. He also noted that Ukraine has already secured the necessary volumes of fuel for April and May.
Recall that at the end of January, oil supplies through the Druzhba to Hungary and Slovakia were suspended after damage to infrastructure in western Ukraine as a result of an attack by Russian drones.
Budapest and Bratislava then stated that Kyiv was allegedly delaying the restoration of the pipeline. In this regard, Budapest blocked an EU loan for Ukraine in the amount of 90 billion euros.
On April 14, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the repair of the Druzhba is planned to be completed by the end of April. At the same time, the future Prime Minister of Hungary, Peter Magyar, stated on April 17 that the transit of Russian oil through the pipeline could resume in the coming days.
