Zelenskyy says Druzhba oil pipeline to Europe repaired

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that the Druzhba oil pipeline is ready to resume operations.

The pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory and pumps Russian oil to Europe, was a major roadblock for Ukraine to unlock a €90 billion  ($105 billion) aid package from the EU.

The oil flow suspension sparked outrage ‌in Hungary and Slovakia, which remain reliant ‌on ​Russian oil imports. Both countries had accused Kyiv of purposely not speeding up the repairs.

"Ukraine has completed repair ​work on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged by a ​Russian ‌strike. The pipeline can resume operation," Zelenskyy said on X.

Oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia had been halted for two months. Ukrainian officials say Russian drone attacks are to blame for the damages to the pipeline. Kyiv had said that continuous strikes had risked the lives of technicians trying to repair it.

"Although no one can currently guarantee that Russia will not repeat attacks on the pipeline infrastructure, our specialists have ensured the basic conditions for restoring the operation of the pipeline system and equipment," he added.

Outgoing hungarian leader Viktor Orban had held up the much needed €90 billion loan for Ukraine, blaming the pipeline's inactivity for the aid halt.

But his recent electoral defeat earlier this month was seen as paving the way for the money to be unlocked.

Zelenskyy calls for energy independence from Russia

Zelenskyy spoke on the phone with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen shortly after announcing the pipeline's operation. He urged von der Leyen to disburse the loan as quickly as possible. 

"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.

The EU's 27 members need to unanimously approve an amendment to the bloc's budget to get the loan going.

Zelensky also called on Ukraine's allies to increase sanctions on Moscow and to break countries' dependence on Russian oil.

"We must continue systematic sanctions pressure on Russia over this war and work on further diversifying energy supplies to Europe," Zelenskyy said in the statement.

"Europe must be independent from those who seek to destroy or weaken it," he added.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar