Ukraine offers EU Odesa-Brody pipeline as alternative to damaged Druzhba

Kyiv has proposed that the EU use alternative elements of Ukraine's oil transport network, particularly the Odesa-Brody pipeline, to deliver crude to Hungary and Slovakia following damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline caused by a Russian attack.

Source: a letter from Ukraine's mission to the European Union dated 20 February and addressed to the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Until repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline are completed, Ukraine is offering the EU the possibility of receiving oil via the Odesa-Brody route.

"The document noted that significant damage had been inflicted on elements of Ukraine's oil transport system, including technological and auxiliary equipment on the Druzhba pipeline, as a result of deliberate attacks carried out by Russia, the aggressor state, on 27 January.

Ukrainian diplomats informed the European Commission that experts are currently conducting a detailed technical inspection of the damaged equipment and assessing the technical feasibility and conditions for the prompt restoration of oil transport through the pipeline.

The letter added that efforts are continuing to survey the damaged elements, stabilise the system's technical condition and deal with the aftermath of the Russian strike. It also emphasised that the uninterrupted and stable functioning of oil transport infrastructure is only possible if Russia stops its large-scale missile and drone attacks targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

It highlighted that Ukrainians are forced to conduct emergency repair work under a constant threat of airstrikes, risking their lives.

Ukraine suggested to the EU that, to ensure secure oil supplies to European countries, particularly Hungary and Slovakia, the use of existing Ukrainian oil transport infrastructure should be considered. It added that such logistics could be organised either via Ukraine's pipeline network or by sea, with subsequent transshipment at seaports and onward transport through the Odesa-Brody pipeline to EU member states.

Previously:

• Hungary has stated that it is blocking a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine until Kyiv restores the transit of Russian oil to Europe via the Druzhba pipeline.
• The documents on the €90 billion package were planned to be approved by the Council of the European Union and signed by the European Parliament on 24 February, marking the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Background: The European Council agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan for 2026-2027, based on EU borrowing on capital markets and backed by EU budget reserves. However, Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia have refused to take part in the scheme.

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