Oil Flows Resume Through Druzhba Pipeline as EU Unlocks Ukraine Loan

Oil deliveries to Slovakia have resumed through the Druzhba pipeline after Ukraine completed repairs to infrastructure damaged earlier this year, easing a months-long dispute involving Kyiv, the European Union and several member states.

Slovakia confirmed on Thursday that crude oil had begun flowing again in the early hours of the morning. Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said supplies restarted at around 2:00 a.m. local time and were proceeding according to plan.

Ukraine announced a day earlier that it had restored pumping operations toward both Slovakia and Hungary, following repairs to sections of the pipeline hit during a Russian attack in January. The restoration removes a key obstacle that had complicated relations between Kyiv and some EU members still reliant on Russian energy imports.

The Druzhba pipeline has remained a sensitive issue since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While many European countries have reduced or ended purchases of Russian oil, Hungary and Slovakia have continued to depend on the route for a significant share of their supplies.

The disruption triggered a political standoff inside the EU, with Hungary’s outgoing leader Viktor Orban blocking approval of a €90 billion financial package for Ukraine. He had argued that Kyiv should restore oil flows before receiving further support, accusing Ukrainian authorities of delaying repairs.

The situation shifted after Ukraine confirmed the pipeline had been fixed and deliveries could resume. Shortly afterward, EU representatives moved forward with the long-delayed loan package intended to support Ukraine’s economy and defence needs.

Orban’s recent election defeat also helped break the deadlock, with expectations that Hungary’s incoming leadership will take a less confrontational approach toward Brussels. His stance had frustrated several EU governments, which viewed the blockade as undermining collective decision-making at a critical time.

Alongside the loan approval, EU countries also signalled preliminary support for a new round of sanctions targeting Russia. These measures had been held up in part due to disagreements linked to the pipeline dispute.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly criticised the continued purchase of Russian oil and gas by some European nations, arguing that such revenues help sustain Moscow’s war effort. Kyiv has pushed for stronger measures to cut off these income streams while balancing the practical energy needs of EU members.

The resumption of oil flows offers short-term relief for Slovakia and Hungary, both of which rely heavily on the pipeline. At the same time, it highlights the ongoing tension between energy security and political unity within Europe as the conflict continues.

With supplies now moving again and financial support for Ukraine back on track, attention is shifting to how the EU will manage its energy dependencies while maintaining pressure on Russia in the months ahead.