Photo: depositphotos
Ukraine is preparing to resume oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline as early as Tuesday, April 21, following technical testing. The move could unlock a critical €90 billion ($106 billion) loan package for Kyiv from the European Union, according to Bloomberg.
The Druzhba pipeline — one of the longest in the world — has for decades supplied crude oil to Central Europe. It previously delivered oil to Hungary and Slovakia before being damaged in a Russian attack in January 2026.
Hungary and Slovakia positions
Hungary has signaled readiness to lift its veto on the EU loan if oil supplies resume. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had earlier made restoration of oil flows a key condition for supporting financial aid.
Slovakia has also softened its stance, indicating it will not block EU unity, despite previous threats by Prime Minister Robert Fico to oppose assistance.
Fico had accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of delaying repairs, claims Kyiv rejected, citing the complexity of restoring infrastructure after sustained Russian strikes.
Critical funding for Ukraine
The EU loan is considered vital as Ukraine faces mounting fiscal pressure more than four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion. Financial strain has intensified amid reduced support from the United States following the return of Donald Trump to office in 2025.
Ukraine’s own resources are reportedly sufficient only until June.
Although most EU countries stopped direct purchases of Russian oil after 2022, Hungary and Slovakia received temporary exemptions due to their reliance on Soviet-era infrastructure. The European Commission is now preparing legislation to phase out these purchases completely by the end of 2027.
