2026-04-21 16:48, updated 2026-04-21 18:53
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2026-04-21 16:48
update
2026-04-21 18:53
Ukraine has completed repairs to the section of the Druzhba pipeline damaged by the Russian attack, which may resume operations; specialists provided the basic conditions for restoring the functioning of the system, said the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, on Tuesday.
“As agreed in the communication with the European Union, Ukraine has completed repair work on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged as a result of the Russian attack. The pipeline can resume operations,” Zelensky wrote in the Telegram messenger.
As the president noted, currently no one can guarantee that Russian attacks on the pipeline infrastructure will not be repeated.
Our specialists provided the basic conditions for restoring the operation of the pipeline system and devices, he added.
“We also hope that the partners will also take appropriate steps regarding clusters (in accession talks with the EU – PAP note) for Ukraine – we have already done our part with regard to the first clusters,” he emphasized.
The head of the European Council thanked Zelensky for repairing Friendship
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday for repairing the Druzhba pipeline and restoring its operation. As he emphasized, Zelensky kept his word.
Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Ukraine had completed repair work on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged by the Russian attack. According to him, the pipeline can resume operations.
This pipeline, running through Ukrainian territory, supplies Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. The outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made Budapest's consent to the European Union granting a loan to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 90 billion conditional on the resumption of supplies.
– Thank you, Mr. President, for keeping your word: the Druzhba pipeline has been repaired and its operation has been restored – Costa wrote on the X platform.
Zelensky announces “energy Ramstein”
In mid-March, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos announced that the European Union had “informally” opened all six clusters in accession talks with Ukraine. To formally open each of the six clusters, the consent of all member states is required, which, in the case of Ukraine, Hungary does not agree to.
According to the president, systematic sanctions pressure on Russia in connection with the war and work on further diversification of energy supplies to Europe should be continued. “Europe must be independent of those who try to destroy or weaken it,” he stressed.
He also stated that after the resumption of the Druzhba pipeline operations, Ukraine expects the unblocking of the European support package amounting to EUR 90 billion, which has already been approved by the European Council.
Zelensky also announced the preparation of a meeting this week in the format of the energy Ramstein. “We must accelerate the acquisition of the necessary financing for renovation works, as well as for the construction of security measures for energy facilities,” he explained.
EU leaders approved the loan in December, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the disbursement, making it conditional on the resumption of supplies via Druzhba. EU ambassadors are expected to discuss the issue on Wednesday.
Hungary's outgoing government signaled on Sunday it was ready to unblock the loan and support financing for Kiev as early as this week if oil supplies resume.
Most European countries ended direct purchases of Russian oil after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, while Hungary and Slovakia were allowed to temporarily continue importing fuel from Russia. The European Commission plans to gradually phase out other purchases of Russian oil by the end of 2027 at the latest, Bloomberg recalled.
From Kiev Iryna Hirnyk (PAP)
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