Hungary Blocks EU Credit Aid as Union Inspectors Arrive in Ukraine Over Druzhba Pipeline.

Inspection of the Druzhba Pipeline

According to TSN.ua: A team of European Union experts has arrived in Ukraine to examine the Druzhba pipeline, a critical energy artery whose shutdown in January 2023 strained ties with Hungary. In response, Budapest has been obstructing the release of EU credit assistance to Kyiv, adding another layer of tension to the situation.

Impact of Pipeline Damage

The Druzhba pipeline suffered damage during a Russian attack on January 27, 2023, in the city of Brody, located in Ukraine’s Lviv region. As a result, oil transit through the Ukrainian section of Druzhba dropped to 9.7 million metric tons in 2025. Of that total:

• 4.9 million metric tons were directed to Slovakia;
• 4.35 million metric tons went to Hungary.

To address the ongoing issues, an EU summit is scheduled for March 19, 2023, where leaders are expected to present demands to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Against this backdrop, Serhiy Koretskyi, a representative of Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz, commented:

“Naftogaz highly values the European Union’s proposal for financial and technical assistance to restore infrastructure at the Brody pumping station.” – Serhiy Koretskyi

The damage to the Druzhba pipeline and its repercussions are significantly affecting regional energy security and the broader relationship between Ukraine and the EU. Efforts are underway to rebuild the infrastructure, alongside political initiatives aimed at resolving financial disputes with Hungary. The importance of this matter is underscored by the upcoming EU summit, where leaders will seek a compromise to restore oil transit and enhance cooperation between Ukraine and EU member states.