European Commission has not yet decided whether to send its experts to inspect damage to Druzhba pipeline
European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated this at a briefing in Brussels, Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"Prime Minister Orban expressed Hungary's support to the idea of such a fact finding mission to verify the status of the damaged pipeline and his readiness to accept the findings of such a mission. We consider this a welcome step. We are now in contact with the Ukrainian authorities on this matter and continue to work with our member states to ensure security of supply," she said.
At the same time, the European Commission expects "all EU leaders to honor their commitments made at the EUCO," she stressed, referring to the political agreement of all 27 EU member state leaders to open a loan facility for Ukraine to finance its needs in 2026–2027.
She also emphasized the importance of recalling that it was a Russian strike that damaged a pumping station on the Druzhba pipeline on January 27, leading to a disruption of oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, and that the European Commission strongly condemns the Russian attack.
Itkonen noted that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during her visit to Kyiv on February 24, asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to "accelerate the repairs of the pipeline." At the same time, the European Commission acknowledges the difficulties of carrying out such repairs "under constant threats of further Russian attacks."
She said that the EU has not yet received information on the repair schedule for the pipeline.
When asked whether a European Commission expert would be part of the damage assessment team if it is deployed in Ukraine, she replied that there is no information at this stage.
"We welcome the willingness of Prime Minister Orban to have such mission and to accept its findings. Now we need to take the next steps to see what shape and form this fact-finding mission will take, and then we will keep you informed," Itkonen said.
As previously reported, Viktor Orban, following a phone conversation with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, stated that their countries would establish an investigative commission to assess the condition of the Druzhba pipeline.
Earlier, Orban wrote an open letter to President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing him of actions allegedly contrary to Hungary's interests.
President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed that Ukraine would in the coming days assess how much time is needed to repair the pipeline damaged by Russia.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs twice summoned Hungary's charge d'affaires over what it described as Hungary's misrepresentation of Ukraine's position on the Druzhba oil pipeline and false accusations against Ukraine.
On January 27, Russia struck energy infrastructure in the Lviv region. A drone may have hit a section of the pipeline through which Russian oil is supplied to Hungary and Slovakia. Naftogaz confirmed the strike but did not specify the exact location, noting only that it was the 15th attack on its facilities in a month.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reminded Hungary that problems with the transit of Russian oil are caused by Russia's aggression and its strikes on the Druzhba pipeline infrastructure, to which Budapest has not publicly responded.
Hungary has suspended diesel exports to Ukraine until oil transit is restored. Budapest has also stated that it is considering the possibility of halting electricity and gas exports to Ukraine if Kyiv does not resume the supply of Russian oil to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline.
Photo: eumetsat.int
