Ukraine proposes fix for Druzhba pipeline as Slovakia seeks verification

Ukraine has presented several practical options to resolve the ongoing dispute over the Druzhba oil pipeline, urging Hungary not to exploit the issue for its own domestic political gain.

Speaking to Politico, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha questioned Budapest’s motives, suggesting the pipeline dispute may be used in pre-election campaigning.

Sybiha added that Ukraine has repeatedly proposed a direct meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to normalise dialogue, but has yet to receive a response.

Meanwhile, Slovakia has asked the European Commission to verify the pipeline’s condition. Prime Minister Robert Fico said available information indicates the line is operational, while Kyiv insists it is not. Fico noted that the Ukrainian side did not allow the Slovak ambassador to visit the section allegedly damaged.

Earlier, Bratislava suspended emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine following the halt of Russian oil transit via Druzhba. Fico attempted to speak with Zelenskyy about resuming oil deliveries, but was informed that Kyiv is “ready to talk only after February 25.”

The Slovak Ministry of Economy later confirmed that Ukraine had notified Transpetrol, the operator of the Slovak pipeline section, that the restart of deliveries would be delayed until February 25. The resumption had originally been scheduled for February 20 and was later postponed to February 24, according to SME.sk.

“The reasons for the delay were not explained by the Ukrainian operator,” the ministry said. It stressed that Slovakia’s domestic oil market remains secure, citing the use of strategic reserves during the emergency, while noting that Kyiv has yet to provide detailed explanations for the revised schedule.

By Aghakazim Guliyev