Disagreements arise in EU as Ukraine holds up access to Druzhba pipeline – Euractiv

Ukraine's decision to delay an EU mission from inspecting the Druzhba oil pipeline, which delivers Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, has caused disagreement and disappointment in EU capitals and Brussels.

Source: Euractiv, citing diplomatic sources in the EU, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Diplomats have described Kyiv's obstruction of the inspection group as "not smart", "an enigma" and "unclear". "We don't have a clear picture of what the Ukrainian play here is," said one unnamed EU diplomat.

The EU inspection team, consisting of national experts coordinated by the European Commission, has been in Ukraine for several weeks awaiting Kyiv's permission to visit the scene of the latest Russian attack on this key energy infrastructure. No permission has been granted so far.

"If Druzhba is deblocked, all sides win," said another EU diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, describing the delay as "an enigma".

"EU wants to adopt another sanctions package and put pressure on Russia, Ukraine needs the loan, Hungary and Slovakia are critically dependent on the flows of oil and are running on reserves or setting double prices. The only way out of this stalemate is to check the situation on the ground and see there what the truth is," the source added.

Some diplomats expressed greater understanding of Ukraine's position.

"On a human level, you can understand, why would you repair something that is financing the war machine of the other side?" said one EU diplomat. Others described the situation as "absurd" and noted that Ukraine is "a country at war".

"We in the EU are moving away from Russian gas and oil. It is doable to have alternatives. Everything around Druzhba should be seen in that context," said a third diplomat.

Background:

• On 20 March, the European Union welcomed Ukraine's commitment to repair the Druzhba pipeline, damaged by a Russian missile, within six weeks.
• This followed an EU proposal to provide financial resources and expert support to restore oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia.

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