Ukraine reopens damaged Druzhba pipeline to unlock €90 billion EU loan

Ukraine has repaired the damaged Druzhba pipeline that carries Russian oil to Europe and is ready to resume supplies – unblocking what Kyiv hopes was the last hurdle to securing tens of billions of euros in support from Brussels. The pipeline has been at the centre of a standoff between Hungary and Slovakia, which still import Russian oil via the pipeline, Ukraine and the European Union. Kyiv can restart pumping Russian oil to the two EU countries as soon as it gets a formal request, a source in Kyiv told AFP. Hungary's outgoing nationalist leader Viktor Orban had held up a much-needed €90 billion ($106 billion) loan for Ukraine as leverage to pressure Kyiv to resume deliveries, accusing it of stalling repairs. His defeat in elections earlier this month was seen as paving the way for the money to be unlocked. "Ukraine has completed repair work on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged by a Russian strike," Zelensky wrote in a statement published on social media. "The pipeline can resume operation," he added. Read moreEurope needs help funding Ukraine. So why can't it agree on using frozen Russian assets? Ukraine said the pipeline was damaged in late January by Russian strikes. Kyiv had vowed to repair it, but Zelensky warned on Tuesday that Moscow's forces could attack the pipeline again. Hungary and Slovakia – among the most Kremlin-sympathetic EU member states – had accused Kyiv of dragging its feet over the repairs. Zelensky has made no secret of his staunch opposition to the fact that some EU members still buy Russian oil and gas – a key source of revenue for Moscow to fund its invasion launched more than four years ago. Ukraine urges more Russia sanctions Shortly after confirming repairs had been complete, Zelensky spoke with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen over the fate of the long-delayed 90-billion-euro loan. "It is important that we begin receiving them soon. All necessary steps on Ukraine's side have been taken," he said on social media after the call. Talking to reporters in Luxembourg, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: "We expect an agreement in 24 hours. So I don't want to jinx it. I hope that everything goes well." "Hopefully all the obstacles are removed," she added. A source in Zelensky's office said Kyiv could start pumping oil immediately. "It's a technical matter – once there is a request for pumping, it will start working," they said. Kyiv has also stepped up its aerial attacks on Russian energy sites in recent months with the aim of bleeding Russian exports – an effort Kyiv refers to as its own "long-range sanctions." Read moreSinking Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’: Has the Ukraine war reached Senegal? Kyiv needs the EU funds to plug looming holes in its budget, but has managed to secure enough money from other backers while Budapest stalled the loan. The bloc's 27 members need to unanimously approve an amendment to its budget to get the loan going. EU chief Antonio Costa welcomed Zelensky's announcement. "Thank you President (Zelensky) for delivering, as agreed: repairing the Druzhba pipeline and restoring its operation," he said on social media. Despite announcing the reopening of the pipeline, Zelensky called on Ukraine's allies to step up sanctions on Moscow and to source new energy suppliers. Watch moreHow do shadow fleets work? US seizes two sentenced oil tankers "We must continue systematic sanctions pressure on Russia over this war and work on further diversifying energy supplies to Europe," Zelensky said in the statement. "Europe must be independent from those who seek to destroy or weaken it," he added. (FRANCE 24 with AFP)