EU Diplomats Denounces Ukraine’s Delay of Druzhba Pipeline Inspection

(MENAFN) Reports indicate that EU diplomats have described Ukraine’s nearly two-week delay in allowing an EU inspection of the Druzhba oil pipeline as “not smart,” according to unnamed sources. Kiev had previously agreed to let EU experts examine the pipeline for alleged damage.

The Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline transports Russian crude through Ukrainian territory to Hungary and Slovakia. Ukraine claims the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes, a claim Moscow denies. Budapest has also rejected Kiev’s explanation, suggesting the flow was deliberately halted for political reasons.

Earlier in March, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that Ukraine would permit an EU-funded inspection. However, according to reports, the inspection team has been waiting in Ukraine for weeks without clearance to access the site.

“We don’t have a clear picture of what the Ukrainian play here is,” one EU diplomat said. Other sources called Kiev’s actions “unclear” and “not smart.”

“If Druzhba is deblocked, all sides win,” another diplomat added, noting that Hungary and Slovakia would secure energy supplies, while Ukraine could access a €90 billion ($105 billion) EU assistance package currently blocked by Budapest.

“The only way out of this stalemate is to check the situation on the ground and see there what the truth is,” the diplomat said. Reports also note that Bratislava has threatened to veto the next round of Russia sanctions and block efforts to simplify Ukraine’s EU accession if the pipeline issue remains unresolved.

MENAFN01042026000045017281ID1110928438