The European Union is pressing Ukraine to accelerate repair work on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which carries Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia. This was reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The European Commission confirmed that it remains in constant contact with the Ukrainian authorities and is seeking the swiftest possible resumption of supplies following damage to the pipeline recorded at the end of January.
At the same time, officials in Brussels stress that in the short term the disruption poses no threat to the energy security of Hungary and Slovakia—both countries hold strategic oil reserves.
After the pumping was halted, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused Kyiv of deliberately dragging out the repairs and described the situation as “political blackmail.” Ukrainian officials had previously said the damage to the pipeline was the result of a drone strike.