Translated material
Zelensky: “Druzhba” will be repaired in the spring
Ukraine has “made significant progress” in restoring the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline and will complete repairs during the spring, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said while speaking to reporters. He is quoted by Reuters. The stoppage of Russian oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary through the Druzhba oil pipeline has aggravated the conflict between Budapest and Kiev. The Hungarian authorities blocked the release of a previously agreed EU loan to Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions, accusing Ukraine of deliberately blocking the oil pipeline.
“We will complete the repairs because that is the agreement. I told them that we will finish this spring. A lot has already been done there... Of course, destroyed tanks cannot be quickly repaired,” Zelensky said.
Ukrainian authorities previously called on Hungary to refuse oil supplies from Russia. At the same time, Kyiv denied that they were deliberately delaying the repair of the Druzhba, which was allegedly damaged by a Russian strike at the end of January.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claims that Ukraine deliberately blocked the oil pipeline, seeking his defeat in the April 12 elections. This interpretation was indirectly supported by US Vice President J.D. Vance, who recently visited Budapest.
Earlier, Reuters, citing a source, reported that April is the most likely completion date for the work.
Zelensky, speaking with journalists, also commented on the progress of the war with Russia. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin is now faced with a dilemma - to go for escalation or, on the contrary, for a peaceful settlement. Zelensky stressed that the coming months will be very difficult for Ukraine - even if Russia de-escalates and resumes peace negotiations. In this case, Zelensky fears that the United States will increase pressure on Kyiv to agree to peace with Russia, including on unfavorable terms.
Zelensky again emphasized that Ukraine is not ready to withdraw troops from the Donetsk region, primarily because the territories remaining there under Ukrainian control are of strategic importance. Russia, according to him, is building up its force, including through strategic reserves, and will try to capture key cities in the spring. According to Zelensky, who also referred to British intelligence assessments, this is hardly possible.
Zelensky: “Druzhba” will be repaired in the spring