Slovakia reported that it resumed receiving crude oil from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline on the morning of the 23rd of April, and that the oil is expected to reach Hungary soon, Reuters writes.
At the beginning of the year, the Druzhba oil pipeline became one of the most politically controversial infrastructure objects in Europe. In January, Russian oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary were interrupted, after strikes by Moscow’s forces damaged the pipeline.
Oil began flowing through the Ukrainian section of the pipeline on the 22nd of April, prompting Hungary to lift its veto that had blocked a 90 billion euro European Union loan to Kyiv. From Ukraine, the oil then flows to Slovakia, through which it reaches Hungary.
Slovakia has indicated that it expects to receive 119,000 tons of oil by the end of April. Kiev previously explained that the oil supply disruption was due to the need for repairs, while Slovakia and Hungary accused the Ukrainians of deliberately delaying the work. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed his joy at the resumption of the pipeline, but stressed that this proves that the suspension of supplies was politically motivated. He told reporters that he believed that serious relations had developed between Ukraine and the European Union after the agreement to resume the pipeline and provide a loan.
“I think that the opening of the Druzhba pipeline at 2 a.m. this morning confirms that the Druzhba pipeline was not damaged…
It wasn’t damaged, and the Druzhba pipeline and oil were used as tools in a geopolitical struggle,” Fico said.
The damage to the pipeline has not been verified by external commissions, but the European Union has supported Ukraine’s claim that it was damaged by Russian strikes. Moscow has blamed Kyiv for halting the flow of Russian oil, but has not commented on speculation that the pipeline was halted due to damage caused by Russian strikes.
Slovakia and Hungary remain dependent on Russian oil and gas and are seeking continued supplies despite the EU’s plan to gradually abandon Russian energy resources.
Read also: Ukraine completes Druzhba pipeline repair; EU unblocks loan