On March 17, the European Commission and the European Council released a revised statement regarding the Druzhba oil pipeline, omitting a key sentence that linked the resumption of oil supplies to Ukraine’s access to a €90 billion EU loan and the implementation of the 20th sanctions package against Russia.
The updated statement, issued by the European Commission’s press office at 12:04 PM Brussels time, confirmed that the EU had offered technical assistance and funding for the repair of the Druzhba pipeline, which Ukraine has accepted. However, the initial version, released at 11:54 AM, included a sentence indicating that the pipeline’s operational restoration was a necessary step for resuming discussions on vital financial support for Ukraine and the sanctions package ahead of the European Council meeting.
This specific sentence has been removed in the latest version of the statement, which has been updated on the official websites of both the European Commission and the European Council, as well as their social media platforms.
Background:
- Ukraine has accepted the EU’s proposal for financial resources and expert support to restore oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured EU leaders in a letter that the transit through the Druzhba pipeline could be restored in approximately six weeks.
- In response, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that Budapest would not alter its position regarding the €90 billion aid to Ukraine until oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline are resumed.
The European Commission and Council have modified their statement on the Druzhba pipeline, removing a reference to financial support for Ukraine. This change coincides with ongoing discussions about the EU's assistance to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
Source: Європейська правда