A technical team from the European Union has arrived in Ukraine to evaluate the damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was hit by Russian shelling. An EU official confirmed that the team, comprised of experts from member states and the European Commission, is awaiting access to the site.
The official stated, “We already have a technical team in Ukraine. Once they gain access, they will assess the situation. We need experts to provide a precise understanding of how long repairs will take and what can be done to expedite them.” Currently, the team is waiting for the necessary permissions to proceed.
Sources indicated that EU experts are expected to inspect the affected section of the Druzhba pipeline on March 18. A small delegation of European engineers is already in Kyiv, with logistics managed by the EU representation in Ukraine.
According to an EU Commission official, the inspection of the Druzhba pipeline will occur as soon as possible, particularly ahead of a summit on March 19 where EU leaders will discuss a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine. However, representatives from Slovakia and Hungary will not participate in the site visit.
On March 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel that Ukraine has agreed to the EU’s proposal for financial and technical assistance in repairing the Druzhba pipeline.
On March 18, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Georgiy Tikhiy emphasized that access to strategic facilities is managed by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). He stated, “I would like to remind you that access to strategic facilities during martial law is a matter for the SBU.”
The Druzhba pipeline has been a focal point of tension following a Russian attack on January 27, which damaged infrastructure in Brody, Lviv region. Naftogaz reported that the Russian military targeted a critical infrastructure site, leading to a fire and halting operations.
Reports suggest that the affected site in Brody is linked to the Druzhba pipeline, which continues to function for transporting Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. On February 12, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline had been suspended since the January attack, and Budapest is preparing to lodge complaints regarding transit issues.
Sybiha criticized Hungary for not expressing any protest to Russia over the situation, stating, “Hungary has not uttered a word of protest against Russia. This is a clear case of double standards.” Both Hungary and Slovakia have announced a halt to diesel exports to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies via Druzhba are restored.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has informed Budapest about the Russian attack on the Druzhba pipeline and the resulting damages since January 27, asserting that accusations of delays in supplies are illogical.
The European Commission has expressed a desire for Ukraine to restore operations on the Druzhba pipeline, but noted that the decision must be made by Ukraine due to the risk of further Russian attacks. On February 21, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned that Slovakia would stop electricity supplies to Ukraine on February 23 unless oil transit through Druzhba is resumed. A similar statement was made by the Hungarian government.
Ukraine has proposed that the EU utilize the Odessa-Brody pipeline as an alternative for oil supplies to the EU while the Druzhba pipeline remains compromised. On February 27, Hungary and Slovakia announced plans to establish a joint investigative commission to assess the condition of the Druzhba pipeline.
On March 11, it was reported that a Hungarian delegation, led by State Secretary Gabor Chepek, arrived in Ukraine to evaluate the state of the Druzhba pipeline and discuss the resumption of oil transit to Hungary. However, Zelensky later indicated that he was unaware of any such visit, as no arrangements had been made with the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
A European Union technical team is in Ukraine to assess the damage to the Druzhba pipeline following Russian attacks. The team awaits permission to inspect the site, as Ukraine navigates the complexities of repair and international relations.