Zelenskyy Confirms Restoration of Druzhba Pipeline Supplying Oil to Europe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that the critical Druzhba oil pipeline is now fully repaired and ready to resume operations after suffering damage during a Russian strike.

The Druzhba pipeline, one of the largest oil transport networks in Europe, plays a vital role in delivering Russian crude oil to several European nations, including Hungary and Slovakia. Its temporary shutdown created significant tension across the region, particularly among countries that continue to depend heavily on Russian energy supplies.

According to Zelenskyy’s statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Ukrainian engineers have successfully completed restoration work on the affected section of the pipeline. He emphasized that the infrastructure is now operational again, allowing oil transportation to restart without further delay.

The disruption had broader economic and political consequences beyond energy supply. Notably, it became a major obstacle in discussions surrounding a €90 billion financial assistance package proposed by the European Union. Some EU member states raised concerns about energy stability, which contributed to delays in finalizing the aid agreement.

Both Hungary and Slovakia had expressed frustration during the outage, pointing to the urgency of restoring oil flow due to their continued reliance on Russian imports. Their governments had also criticized Kyiv for what they perceived as a slow repair response, intensifying diplomatic pressure on Ukraine.

With the pipeline now restored, the situation is expected to ease, potentially unlocking progress in EU financial negotiations and stabilizing energy distribution across affected regions.

Further updates are anticipated as more information emerges regarding operational timelines and geopolitical developments.