The resumption of operations of this oil pipeline should put an end to a long-standing dispute with Budapest and, in return, allow the unblocking of a crucial €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.
An easing in the turbulent relations between Kiev and Budapest is on the horizon. The Druzhba oil pipeline resumed the transit of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia on Wednesday, as announced by a Ukrainian official.
This pipeline had been out of service since a section in western Ukraine was damaged by a Russian strike in January. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who suffered a significant defeat in the April 12 elections, accused Kiev of dragging its feet in repairs. As a retaliatory measure, he blocked the European loan for Ukraine. Slovakia, heavily dependent on Russian oil, threatened to prevent the adoption of the next round of sanctions against Russia.
The restarting of operations of this oil pipeline is expected to finally resolve the long-standing feud with Budapest and, in turn, enable the unblocking of the €90 billion loan crucial for Ukraine. “We have fulfilled all our commitments (in repairing this infrastructure). Now, we must move forward together so that Ukraine can receive the loan,” stated Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated on Wednesday that trust between Ukraine and his country had been damaged. However, the EU hopes to still secure the unblocking of the loan, thanks to the expected lifting of the Hungarian veto.
