- Category
- Latest news
EU Mediates Talks to Restore Russian Oil to Hungary via Damaged Druzhba Pipeline
- Authors
![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
The European Commission is engaging with “all interested parties” to facilitate the resumption of oil supplies through the Druzhba oil pipeline, according to Deputy Chief Spokesperson Olof Gill, as reported by Suspilne on April 20.
The oil pipeline, going from Russia through Ukraine, was effectively knocked offline following Russian attacks on its infrastructure in late January. The blasts severely damaged the transit network, halting the flow of Russian crude to landlocked European nations that are heavily dependent on the route, primarily Hungary and Slovakia.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The prospect of a restart gained traction over the weekend when outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted on the social media platform X, claiming he received a signal that Ukraine was allegedly ready to resume oil supplies via the Druzhba network as early as Monday, April 20.
Through Brussels, we have received an indication from Ukraine that they are ready to restore oil deliveries via the Friendship pipeline as early as Monday, provided that Hungary lifts its blockade of the €90 billion EU loan. Hungary’s position has not changed: no oil = no money.…
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) April 19, 2026
However, the European Commission stopped short of confirming Orbán’s specific timeline, Suspilne writes.
“The Commission is monitoring the situation very closely, as we have always done, and I can also confirm that we are in contact with stakeholders to facilitate the resumption of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline,” Gill stated. “We will continue to engage with all parties to move the situation in the right direction.”
Gill emphasized that Brussels views its position as a neutral facilitator in the complex energy dispute. “The European Commission has always tried to play a coordinating role here, a mediating role, to try to move this issue forward. And that is what we are doing right now,” he added, according to Suspilne.
During the briefing, the Deputy Chief Spokesperson also used the opportunity to remind EU member states to fulfill the financial obligations agreed upon during the European Council meeting last December, specifically regarding the provision of €90 billion ($106.16 billion) loan to Ukraine.
The European Commission’s current efforts to mediate the restart of the Druzhba pipeline align with mounting urgency from Hungary. Just days prior, incoming Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar indicated that oil flows could resume as early as next week following discussions with MOL oil and gas company chief Zsolt Hernádi.
With Hernádi planning an imminent trip to Russia to finalize supply logistics, Magyar stressed that merely repairing the network is insufficient, noting, “It’s not enough just to restart Druzhba. It needs to get oil too.”
-4a56a6b482ec132402c16ef6fcabf9a2.png)
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
