A bitter dispute pitting Hungary and Slovakia against Ukraine is holding up a crucial €90bn (£77.95bn) EU loan to Ukraine. No oil has flowed through the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia across Ukraine, since the major oil hub at Brody, in western Ukraine, was damaged in a Russian attack on 27 January. While Ukraine argues that it will need six more weeks to repair the damage and restore the oil flow, Budapest accuses Kyiv of stalling, as revenge for Hungary's pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian position.
This dispute underlines the ability of one or two countries to block EU decision making. It also shows Hungary and Slovakia facing fuel problems since they refused to follow suit and reduce reliance on Russian oil since 2022. The Brody pumping station in Ukraine's western Lviv region is crucial for the transit of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
Satellite images suggest that the Russian strike on 27 January damaged a key part – a huge tank used to store oil necessary to keep the pipeline working. Damage is reportedly severe, with experts indicating that extreme heat from the fire could have affected other systems at Brody.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhy Tykhy emphasized that infrastructure damage is a daily occurrence due to ongoing conflict, and repairs are limited by resources. The EU has offered technical support and funding for repairs, and Ukraine's President Zelensky has expressed reluctance to restore the pipeline as it involves Russian oil, which complicates matters further.
As the situation develops, Hungary has begun receiving non-Russian oil, but its refineries are not equipped for this new supply, highlighting the ongoing energy crisis in the region.
This dispute underlines the ability of one or two countries to block EU decision making. It also shows Hungary and Slovakia facing fuel problems since they refused to follow suit and reduce reliance on Russian oil since 2022. The Brody pumping station in Ukraine's western Lviv region is crucial for the transit of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
Satellite images suggest that the Russian strike on 27 January damaged a key part – a huge tank used to store oil necessary to keep the pipeline working. Damage is reportedly severe, with experts indicating that extreme heat from the fire could have affected other systems at Brody.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhy Tykhy emphasized that infrastructure damage is a daily occurrence due to ongoing conflict, and repairs are limited by resources. The EU has offered technical support and funding for repairs, and Ukraine's President Zelensky has expressed reluctance to restore the pipeline as it involves Russian oil, which complicates matters further.
As the situation develops, Hungary has begun receiving non-Russian oil, but its refineries are not equipped for this new supply, highlighting the ongoing energy crisis in the region.
