politics
March 5, 2026
The EU is pressuring Ukraine to restore oil flows through the Russian Druzhba pipeline, FT reports
Ukraine reportedly turned down European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s request to inspect whether it is restoring the flow via the pipeline, which carries Russian oil through Ukrainian territory to Central Europe
TL;DR
- Ukraine has rejected a proposed EU mission to inspect the Druzhba pipeline.
- Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of deliberately blocking oil flow through the pipeline.
- Ukraine claims the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes in January.
- EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, were denied access to inspect the pipeline.
- Ukraine's refusal could provide Hungary with an excuse to veto emergency loans and sanctions against Russia.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that Ukraine is obligated to allow oil shipments to Hungary and that there are no technical reasons preventing normal operations.
- Hungary previously imposed sanctions on a Ukrainian drone commander after attacks on the Druzhba pipeline in Russia.
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