Ukraine Ready to Resume Druzhba Oil Flows to Hungary, Slovakia – EU Aid Deal Expected

Ukraine is prepared to restart oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia, according to Hungarian refiner Mol Nyrt., signaling a potential breakthrough in a dispute that has blocked crucial European Union aid to Kyiv. The move is expected to unlock EU financial support for Ukraine as early as Wednesday, easing tensions between the war-torn country and two of its EU neighbors.

The Druzhba pipeline, a key artery for Russian crude oil supplies to Central Europe, was halted amid disagreements over transit fees and geopolitical pressures linked to the ongoing war. Mol Nyrt., which operates refineries in Hungary and Slovakia, confirmed Ukraine’s readiness to resume flows, though exact timelines remain unclear. The resumption is seen as a concession from Kyiv to secure EU aid packages that have been stalled by Hungary’s objections, often tied to energy and political disputes.

The development underscores the delicate balance between Ukraine’s need for Western financial support and its leverage over energy transit routes. For Hungary and Slovakia, which rely heavily on Druzhba for crude imports, the restart alleviates supply risks. However, the broader implications include potential shifts in EU unity on aid to Ukraine, as Budapest has previously used energy issues to block or delay decisions. The pipeline’s resumption could also reduce pressure on alternative supply routes, but the underlying geopolitical tensions remain unresolved.