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Hungary Anticipates Restart of Russian Oil Flows Through Ukraine Next Week
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Oil flows from Russia to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline could resume as early as next week following a months-long disruption, according to incoming Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, Bloomberg reported on April 17.
Speaking to reporters, Magyar cited conversations with Zsolt Hernadi, the head of the Hungarian oil and gas refiner MOL. Magyar noted that Hernadi confirmed the impending restart of the pipeline and announced plans to visit Russia next week to finalize discussions on the oil supplies.
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“It’s not enough just to restart Druzhba,” Magyar stated. “It needs to get oil too.”
The Druzhba pipeline, a critical conduit transporting Russian crude through Ukraine to Central Europe, has been out of operation since January after suffering damage from a Russian drone strike.
The prolonged shutdown quickly escalated into a geopolitical dispute during Hungary’s election campaign. Outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused Kyiv of intentionally dragging out pipeline repairs for political leverage—an allegation strongly denied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In retaliation for the stalled repairs, Orbán threatened to block a €90 billion ($106 billion) European Union loan to Ukraine until the oil flows were restored.
Magyar indicated on April 15 that he expects Orbán to drop his veto of the EU loan once the pipeline becomes fully operational. Earlier this week, President Zelenskyy also confirmed that the supply route could resume operations before the end of the month.
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