Zelenskyy on 'Druzhba' Pipeline Inspection: Ukraine Not Blocking Access, But Damage Is Documented.

Ukrainian President's Statement on the 'Druzhba' Oil Pipeline

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to demands from Hungary and Slovakia to allow foreign specialists to inspect the condition of the 'Druzhba' oil pipeline. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is not blocking access for European Commission representatives and has confirmed instances of pipeline damage, which it considers sufficient evidence. The 'Druzhba' pipeline is a critical Soviet-era artery for transporting Russian oil to parts of Central Europe.

During a briefing on March 5, Zelenskyy emphasized that the 'Druzhba' pipeline has been repeatedly damaged by Russia.

"We are an independent state, we have a pipeline, and Russia has destroyed it multiple times," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy expressed concern over Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's blocking of 90 billion euros in aid for Ukraine.

"We hope that one person in the European Union will not block 90 billion, and that Ukrainian soldiers will have weapons," stated Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukraine's Position

Consequently, Ukraine continues to assert its position on the pipeline situation, stressing the importance of international support and a readiness to cooperate with European partners. Amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, the security of energy infrastructure is of paramount importance, and the actions of Hungary and Slovakia could significantly impact regional energy stability. This dispute occurs within a broader context of European energy security debates following Russia's full-scale invasion.

Involving international experts to verify the pipeline's condition could be a crucial step in ensuring transparency and building confidence in the technical state of this critical infrastructure.