Zelensky: Druzhba pipeline ready to resume operations

(Patria) - The Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Europe, is ready to resume operations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday.

He signaled that Kyiv now expects the unblocking of a €90 billion aid package.

"Ukraine has completed repairs on the section of the Druzhba pipeline damaged in a Russian attack. The pipeline can resume operations," Zelenskyy wrote on platform X.

The suspension of flow caused outrage in Hungary and Slovakia, which still depend on Russian oil imports.

We discussed our priorities in energy cooperation with partners.

First, in the context of the crisis caused by the war in Iran, it is important to fully implement the agreements on supplying Ukraine with the necessary volumes of fuel. The volumes for April and May are secured.… pic.twitter.com/MkDnhqkBQC

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 21, 2026

The Hungarian government threatened to withdraw energy aid to Ukraine in response, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has long blocked an aid package for Kyiv agreed upon by the European Commission.

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine, whose war budget largely depends on foreign funding, expects the money to be disbursed as agreed, following the repair of the Druzhba pipeline.

"We are linking this to the unblocking of the European aid package for Ukraine, which has already been approved by the European Council," Zelenskyy stated.

The Kremlin stated yesterday that Russia is technically ready to resume oil flow through the pipeline.