The criticism came after the European Commission suggested sending a fact-finding mission to examine damage to the Druzhba pipeline
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has mocked an effort by Kiev’s EU supporters to resume Russian oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline, labeling it “blackmail.”
The claims followed the European Commission’s proposal last week of a fact-finding mission to evaluate pipeline damage in an attempt to settle the disagreement. Ukraine closed the major Soviet-era pipeline in late January, stating the pause was caused by a Russian drone attack.
Moscow, though, has denied hitting the pipeline, and Slovakia and Hungary have dismissed Kiev’s reasoning, asserting it was part of a Ukrainian pressure tactic.
In comments released on Sunday, Zelensky stated he is against resuming Russian oil deliveries, saying he would be “powerless” if Europe tied approval to Ukraine getting weapons, and characterizing this pressure from his “friends in Europe” as “blackmail,” per Ukrainian media.
As a reaction to Kiev stopping supplies via the pipeline—which is the main route for transporting Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary—Budapest blocked a €90 billion ($105 billion) EU emergency loan for Ukraine.
On Saturday, Ukraine’s Naftogaz updated European and G7 ambassadors on “significant damage” to Druzhba, saying it “needs time, specialized equipment, and ongoing work” to repair the major pipeline.
Hungary and Slovakia have charged Kiev with lying about Druzhba’s damage, asserting their eastern neighbor had made up technical problems to move them away from Russian energy. Both governments state satellite data indicated the pipeline was working while Ukraine prevented independent checks.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the EU on Saturday for its failure to send a fact-finding mission to the pipeline. “A legitimate question must be asked: whose interests matter more to [the EU] – Ukraine’s or those of EU member states?” he stated.
The disagreement occurs as oil prices have exceeded $100 a barrel in recent days due to global supply issues tied to the US and Israeli conflict with Iran. The situation has led Washington to temporarily relax some sanctions on Russian oil to help reduce market tensions.