On Tuesday, the European Commission informed that it was in contact with Ukraine to set the fastest possible date for restoring the pipeline's operation. On Thursday, this stance was softened.
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— We are in contact with the Ukrainian authorities regarding repairs, but this should not be interpreted as putting pressure on us. We do not set deadlines. We just want to understand the situation, Itkonen explained.
Russian attack and supply disruptions
The Druzhba pipeline was seriously damaged on January 27 in western Ukraine during a Russian attack. As a result, the transit of Russian oil through Ukraine was suspended, which particularly affected Hungary and Slovakia, which still use this connection..
Read also: Hungary and Slovakia are asking for help. Russian oil stopped flowing
Both countries accused Kyiv of deliberately suspending the transmission. Then they also decided to suspend diesel supplies to Ukraine, and Hungary suggested the possibility of also blocking electricity and natural gas supplies.
Ana Kaisa Itkonen assured that the European Commission is monitoring the situation and is in contact with all parties.
— We are assessing this information as the situation is evolving very rapidly – noted the spokeswoman. She added that The EC is analyzing the application of Hungary and Slovakia, which asked Croatia for the possibility of transmitting Russian oil via the Adria pipeline.
Read also: Budapest and Bratislava are cutting off Ukraine from important fuel. Here's why
This system transports oil delivered by sea, which raises doubts in the context of EU sanctions that almost completely ban the import of Russian oil by sea.
