Russian oil resumed flowing through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline on Wednesday (22 April) for the first time since January, according to Reuters. The restart allowed Hungary to lift its veto on a €90 billion European Union loan package for Ukraine, which EU ambassadors approved in Brussels shortly afterwards. The European Union's 27 member states are now expected to formally sign off on it by Thursday (23 April) afternoon.
Hungarian oil company MOL said Ukraine had informed it that deliveries of Russian crude had restarted through the pipeline. An industry source cited by Reuters said that the first shipments expected to reach Hungary and Slovakia by Thursday at the latest.
The loan, intended to help maintain Ukraine’s liquidity through 2026 and 2027, had been blocked by Hungary and Slovakia. Both governments had linked their veto to the suspension of oil flows through Druzhba, accusing Ukraine of delaying repairs to the damaged pipeline. Kyiv denied the allegation.
The pipeline had been out of operation after a Russian drone strike caused damage in western Ukraine. Hungary and Slovakia remain among the EU countries most dependent on Russian oil.
Reuters also noted that Ukraine’s chances of securing the loan had already improved after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán lost the parliamentary election on 12 April. His successor, Péter Magyar, has said he will no longer block EU funding for Kyiv once he takes office next month.
Source: commonspace.eu with Reuters
