The European Union is in talks with Ukraine regarding the timeline for restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline, after damage halted the transit of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
As reported by Hvylya, European Commission spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen officially confirmed the contacts between Brussels and Kyiv, according to Radio Liberty.
"We are in contact with Ukraine regarding the timeline for the repair of the Druzhba pipeline and how quickly it can be launched," she told reporters.
The Commission spokeswoman clarified that there are no short-term risks to security of supply, as Hungary and Slovakia hold reserve stocks for 90 days. If necessary, the EU executive body is ready to convene an emergency coordination group to find alternative routes.
The halt in oil pumping has sparked a new round of political tension. The Ukrainian side states that disruptions began on January 27 following a Russian drone strike on infrastructure. However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused Kyiv of deliberately delaying repairs. According to his version, Ukraine is using the situation to force Budapest to drop its veto on the country's EU accession, labeling the events "political blackmail."
Hungary and Slovakia benefit from an exemption from European sanctions on Russian pipeline oil imports. Meanwhile, analysts at the Bulgarian Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) published a report arguing that Budapest lacks a genuine need for Russian energy resources due to access to other sources.
"There are no technical or economic grounds for continuing the exemption from sanctions on Russian oil in Central Europe. Hungary's continued dependence is a political choice that weakens EU unity," emphasized Martin Vladimirov, Director of the CSD Energy and Climate Program.
Amid the disruptions, Budapest and Bratislava have already turned to Croatia for alternative supplies. Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar confirmed readiness to provide support with full respect for Ukrainian allies. In turn, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán continues to insist that due to the lack of access to the sea, Russian oil remains "vital" for his state.
It was previously reported that giant discounts are finishing off the Kremlin's war machine.