The pipeline supplied Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. Since January, however, deliveries have stopped due to damage caused, according to the Ukrainians, by an attack by Russian suicide drones Shahid.
President Zelenskyi promised that Družba will be back in operation by the end of April, and technical tests took place on Tuesday.
Hungary relied on the blocking of a 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine to resume operation of the pipeline. “Hungary’s position has not changed: no oil equals no money,” declared outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Sunday on the X network.
Even before the Ukrainian head of state’s announcement, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallasová, commented on the situation surrounding the loan. “We expect a positive decision tomorrow (Wednesday) regarding the 90 billion euro loan. Ukraine really needs it and it is also a signal that Russia will not overpower Ukraine,” she said.
