Druzhba oil pipeline transit to resume to Hungary and Slovakia

Deliveries of Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline are expected to resume following repairs to infrastructure damaged during a Russian strike in January. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova and the Hungarian oil company MOL confirmed that Ukraine's state operator, Ukrtransnafta, has prepared the line for operation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the completion of repairs, stating that this action should facilitate the release of a 90 billion euro European Union loan to Kyiv. Hungary and Slovakia previously accused Ukraine of intentionally delaying the repair process, an allegation Kyiv consistently denied. Tensions had escalated as Hungary blocked the EU financial support package in response to the supply suspension. The resumption of oil flows is now anticipated to resolve this diplomatic and economic deadlock. Industry sources and officials indicated that the technical preparations for pressure buildup in the pipeline were already underway.