Ukraine to Restore Družba Pipeline by Spring Amid Political Tensions

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on April 10, 2026, that Ukraine has made significant progress in restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline and expects to complete the necessary repairs by spring. The restoration aims to resolve disruptions in the supply of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, which have been cut off from deliveries via the pipeline since late January.

The Druzhba pipeline, located in western Ukraine, was heavily damaged following a Russian drone strike in late January. The disruption of oil transit has since become a point of intense diplomatic friction between Kyiv and its neighbors, particularly Hungary, which continues to maintain close political and energy ties with Russia despite the invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022.

In remarks released by his office on April 10, 2026, President Zelenskiy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to the restoration process. He stated that the timeline for completion is based on prior agreements.

We will complete the repairs because that is the agreement. I told them we would finish this spring, Zelenskiy told reporters. A lot has already been done there… Of course, destroyed storage tanks cannot be repaired quickly.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy

The technical challenges of the repair operation include the restoration of destroyed storage tanks, which Zelenskiy noted cannot be fixed as quickly as other pipeline components. Despite these difficulties, Ukrainian officials maintain that the repairs are well advanced.

Diplomatic Tensions and Accusations

The suspension of oil flows has led to a bitter row between Ukraine and the governments of Hungary and Slovakia. Both nations have accused Kyiv of intentionally delaying the essential repairs to the pipeline to exert political pressure. Ukraine has denied these claims, asserting its commitment to fulfilling the repair agreement.

The disagreement has escalated beyond energy security, impacting broader financial relations between Ukraine and the European Union. Hungary has used its position to block a substantial loan from the European Union to Ukraine, valued at 90 billion euros (approximately $103 billion). The Hungarian government has indicated that the loan will remain blocked as long as the flows of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline remain suspended.

Internal Political Stakes in Hungary

The dispute over the oil transit is occurring against a backdrop of domestic political pressure within Hungary. The issue has added a layer of complexity to the country’s forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban is currently facing a competitive challenge from the center-right Tisza party. The stability of energy supplies and the management of relations with Russia are central themes in the political environment leading up to the vote.

Slovakia has similarly maintained its energy dependencies on Russia, and like Hungary, has expressed frustration over the disruption of deliveries. The restoration of the Druzhba pipeline is seen as the primary mechanism for resolving these supply disruptions and potentially unblocking the EU financial aid currently held up by Budapest.

The completion of the repairs in the spring is expected to restore the transit of Russian oil to both Hungary and Slovakia, provided that the technical hurdles regarding storage tanks are overcome and diplomatic tensions are eased.