Slovakia sceptical of Ukraine's six-week plan to repair Druzhba pipeline
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has claimed that Ukraine has already announced timelines for repairing the Druzhba oil pipeline on more than one occasion, so the situation should be verified by experts on the ground.
Source: Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda
Details: Blanár said Slovakia has received reports that Ukraine has promised to resume oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline within six weeks.
Quote: "However, several such timelines have already been announced in the past. We therefore consider it necessary to verify the situation directly on site, with the participation of experts who could also assist with any necessary repairs to the pipeline."
Details: The Slovak Foreign Ministry added that EU foreign ministers in Brussels expressed clear support for requests by Slovakia, Hungary and the European Commission for Ukraine to provide information on the condition of the Druzhba pipeline.
"Slovakia considers the information provided so far to be insufficient and views Ukraine's approach as unacceptable, as it fuels speculation that is not in its interest," the ministry added.
Background:
- On 17 March, it was reported that Ukraine has accepted the EU's proposal, under which the EU will provide financial and expert support to help restore oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline.
- In a letter to EU leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised to restore oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline in approximately one and a half months.
- Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has said Hungary will continue to block key EU decisions important for Ukraine until transit via Druzhba is restored.
- A group of EU experts is expected to visit the site of damage to the pipeline in Ukraine on Wednesday 18 March.
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