Ukraine Accuses Europe of ‘Blackmail’ Over Russian Oil Pipeline
KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticized European allies, accusing them of “blackmail” as pressure mounts to restart Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline. The dispute centers on a key Soviet-era conduit that delivers Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary, and comes as global oil prices rise amid wider supply disruptions.
Zelenskyy publicly voiced his opposition Sunday, stating he would be “powerless” if Europe linked approval of crucial aid to Ukraine with the resumption of oil transit, according to Ukrainian media reports. He characterized such pressure from “friends in Europe” as unacceptable.
The friction follows a European Commission proposal last week to dispatch a fact-finding mission to assess damage to the Druzhba pipeline. Ukraine halted oil flows through the pipeline in late January, citing damage from a Russian drone strike.
However, Moscow denies targeting the pipeline, and both Slovakia and Hungary have rejected Kyiv’s explanation, suggesting Ukraine deliberately halted the flow as a pressure tactic.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Saturday questioned the EU’s priorities, asking whether the interests of Ukraine outweighed those of its member states, particularly regarding the stalled fact-finding mission.
The dispute escalated after Hungary vetoed a proposed €90 billion ($105 billion) EU emergency loan for Ukraine in response to the pipeline shutdown.
Naftogaz, Ukraine’s national oil and gas company, briefed European and G7 ambassadors Saturday on what it described as “significant damage” to the Druzhba pipeline, stating that restoration would require “time, specialized equipment, and continuous work.”
Both Hungary and Slovakia allege Ukraine fabricated technical issues to reduce their reliance on Russian energy, claiming satellite data indicated the pipeline remained operational while independent inspections were blocked.
The conflict over Druzhba comes as global oil prices have surpassed $100 a barrel, fueled by supply disruptions linked to conflicts in the US and Israel with Iran. This has prompted the United States to temporarily ease some sanctions on Russian oil in an effort to stabilize the market.
