Zelenskyy announces Druzhba oil pipeline repaired and 'can resume operation'

Published on 21/04/2026 - 16:49 GMT+2

The Druzhba pipeline that carries Russian lipid done Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia has been repaired and tin resume operations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced, ending a monthslong standoff betwixt Kyiv and Budapest.

The pipeline has been retired of bid since a Russian drone onslaught connected occidental Ukraine successful precocious January.

"Ukraine has completed repair enactment connected the conception of the Druzhba lipid pipeline that was damaged by a Russian strike," Zelenskyy said successful a societal media station published connected X.

"The pipeline tin resume operation," helium added.

The announcement paves the mode for Hungary to assistance its veto connected the €90 cardinal indebtedness for Ukraine, which was endorsed by EU leaders successful December but abruptly blocked by outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán successful February successful absorption to the interruption of lipid flows.

"We link this with the unblocking of the European enactment bundle for Ukraine, which had already been approved by the European Council," Zelenskyy said.

Orbán, whose 16-year word is astir to extremity aft a bruising decision astatine the polls, said connected Sunday that helium would driblet his reservations arsenic soon arsenic the lipid transit resumes.

If Orbán makes bully connected his word, the last constituent of the indebtedness could beryllium approved arsenic aboriginal arsenic Wednesday erstwhile ambassadors conscionable successful Brussels.

The European Commission has offered to wage for the repairs with EU funds.

The quality implicit Druzhba has besides led Hungary and Slovakia to artifact a caller bundle of sanctions against Russia, which includes a afloat prohibition connected maritime services.

"We indispensable proceed systematic sanctions unit connected Russia implicit this warfare and enactment connected further diversifying vigor supplies to Europe," Zelenskyy said.

"Europe indispensable beryllium autarkic from those who question to destruct oregon weaken it."