Orbán says Druzhba pipeline fully operational

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claims that the Druzhba oil pipeline, which carries Russian crude through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia, is technically fully operational. According to satellite imagery and operational data, it was not directly damaged in the recent Russian attack, and nothing stands in the way of supplies resuming, Echo24 portal reported.

Orbán has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to restart transit immediately and requested that Hungarian and Slovak inspectors be granted access to Ukraine.

Oil has not been flowing since 27 January, triggering a heated dispute. Hungary and Slovakia issued Kyiv with an ultimatum but received no meaningful response. Budapest subsequently blocked a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine and the 20th sanctions package. Meanwhile, Kyiv offered Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico possible dates for talks.

However, Fico said he wanted to speak with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before meeting Zelenskyy. The resumption of supplies has once again been postponed.

(mja)