EditEU experts set to inspect Russian-damaged Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine
Hungary and Slovakia’s continued dependence on Russian oil has turned a technical infrastructure issue into a major diplomatic standoff
A delegation of European Union engineers will visit the site of the Druzhba oil pipeline damaged by Russian attacks in western Ukraine on Wednesday, in a bid to verify the extent of the destruction and pave the way for repairs. The inspection comes at a critical moment, as Hungary continues to block a major €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine, tying its approval to the resumption of Russian oil transit.
According to sources cited by Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne, the small group of independent EU experts – drawn from various member states – has already arrived in Kyiv, with logistics coordinated by the EU Representation in Ukraine. The visit was requested by Hungary and is timed just ahead of an EU leaders’ summit on Thursday, where the €90 billion financial support for Ukraine is on the agenda.
An unnamed European Commission official previously explained the rationale: Hungary had pushed for a fact-finding mission, but its own representatives were denied access earlier. “It makes sense to involve some independent experts,” the official said, noting that the EU itself lacks in-house pipeline specialists.
Russian strike halts vital oil supplies
The Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, a Soviet-era infrastructure that still carries Russian crude oil through Ukraine to Central Europe, was hit on 27 January near Brody in Lviv Oblast. Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz reported that a Russian attack on critical infrastructure sparked a fire and forced an immediate halt to operations. Transit of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia has remained suspended ever since.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha publicly blamed Moscow and noted that Budapest had not even protested the Russian strike. “Double standards in all their glory,” he remarked.
Hungary and Slovakia’s hardline stance
Hungary and Slovakia – the only two EU countries still importing Russian oil via the Druzhba exemption in EU sanctions – have taken an unusually confrontational position. Both governments rely heavily on the cheap Russian crude to supply their refineries and have accused Kyiv of deliberately delaying repairs for political reasons.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico formed a joint investigative commission and threatened countermeasures.
Slovakia announced it would halt electricity exports to Ukraine if transit was not restored.
Both countries stopped exporting diesel fuel to Ukraine.
Hungary has explicitly vetoed the €90 billion EU loan to Kyiv and new rounds of sanctions against Russia until flows resume.
Slovak leader Robert Fico has been particularly vocal, claiming he has “clear impressions” that Ukraine has “no interest” in restarting the pipeline. Hungarian officials have gone further, sending an uncoordinated delegation to Kyiv earlier in March – a move President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was unaware of and that bypassed official channels.
This pressure reflects the two countries’ long-standing pro-Russia leanings under Orbán and Fico. Unlike most EU members, Hungary and Slovakia have resisted full energy decoupling from Moscow, secured pipeline exemptions in sanctions packages, and repeatedly blocked or delayed EU decisions on Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions. The Druzhba dispute has now become a leverage point, with Budapest and Bratislava arguing that Ukraine must prioritise repairs despite the ongoing Russian threat.
Ukraine accepts EU assistance but highlights risks
Ukraine has pushed back firmly. Officials informed Hungary immediately after the 27 January strike and proposed using the alternative Odessa-Brody pipeline to supply non-Russian oil. President Zelenskyy confirmed in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa that Kyiv accepts the EU’s offer of financial and technical assistance for repairs – but stressed that the final decision rests with Ukraine due to the risk of repeated Russian attacks.
The European Commission has acknowledged this security concern, stating it supports resuming operations “if Ukraine deems it safe,” while offering funding to make repairs viable.
Today’s EU-led inspection is seen as a potential breakthrough. It excludes Hungarian and Slovak representatives, aiming for an independent assessment that could satisfy Budapest and unlock the stalled €90 billion aid package.
The article by EUalive’s partner Suspilne in Ukrainian can be found here.
Caption: A handout photo made available by the Hungarian Prime Minister’s General Department of Communication shows Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) look at satellite images showing the part of the Druzhba oil pipeline relevant for Hungary during a domestic security council meeting held to review Hungary’s energy supply situation in Budapest, Hungary, 02 March 2026. EPA/Hungarian PM’s General Department of Communication/Zoltan Fische HANDOUT
Updated: March 18, 2026 - 07:38
