"EU officials said in a statement Tuesday that the bloc "has offered Ukraine technical support and funding" to fix the pipeline. "The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer. European experts are available immediately," European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said."
"Ukraine and Hungary have been locked in an escalating feud since Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia were halted in January due to damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian officials have blamed the damage on Russian drone attacks."
"Zelenskyy is vehemently opposed to allowing Russian energy to transit through Ukraine. Energy revenue has fueled the four-year war waged by President Vladimir Putin on his country, and Russian forces have relentlessly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure throughout the conflict."
The European Union has offered technical support and funding to Ukraine to repair the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged in January and halted Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia. The dispute stems from conflicting claims: Ukrainian officials attribute the damage to Russian drone attacks, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accuses Ukraine of deliberately blocking supplies. In response, Orban has vetoed a 90-billion-euro EU loan for Ukraine's military and economic needs and is blocking new sanctions against Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy opposes allowing Russian energy transit through Ukraine, citing concerns about funding Russia's war effort and protecting Ukrainian infrastructure. EU leaders Costa and von der Leyen hope their funding offer will resolve the blockade and enable rapid pipeline repairs.
Read at www.npr.org
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