Druzhba pipeline restart this week after Russian attack could unlock €90 billion in EU aid for Ukraine

Ukraine expects oil deliveries via the “Druzhba” pipeline to resume as early as 21 April following technical tests. This step could pave the way for unlocking EU financial assistance for Kyiv, Bloomberg reports, citing its sources. 

The issue concerns the restoration of a route that supplied oil to Hungary and Slovakia until it was damaged during a Russian attack in January. Technical tests, according to sources, are scheduled for Tuesday and are intended to verify the infrastructure’s readiness to resume pumping.

The shutdown of “Druzhba” has become a key issue in the election campaign of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who accused Ukraine, despite being under daily Russian attacks, of deliberately delaying oil flows.

In this context, Hungarian authorities also stole $82 million from Ukraine following the seizure of several cash-in-transit vehicles transporting precious metals and cash through its territory.

European Union is unlocking large-scale loan for Ukraine

The EU is considering releasing a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine after the potential restart of the “Druzhba” pipeline, which has become a subject of political disputes within the bloc.

EU leaders approved the loan in December, but Hungary blocked its disbursement. Budapest linked its position to demands for the restoration of oil supplies, while the EU plans to discuss the issue at the ambassador level.

Hungary signals possible shift on Ukraine funding

Hungary has indicated readiness to reconsider its veto on EU financial aid for Ukraine if oil deliveries via the “Druzhba” pipeline are restored, which could unlock funding as early as this week.

Budapest stated it may lift its block if technical flows resume.

Overall, direct purchases of Russian oil by most European countries ceased after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Hungary and Slovakia granted temporary exemptions. The European Commission plans to propose legislation to phase out remaining imports by the end of 2027.