EU experts visit Kyiv to assess Druzhba pipeline and discuss recovery plans

An EU technical working group, together with EU Deputy Ambassador to Ukraine Gediminas Navickas, held a meeting with the leadership of Naftogaz Group.

“Naftogaz Group values the EU’s offer of financial and technical assistance to rebuild the infrastructure assets of the Brody pumping station in line with best European engineering and safety standards and to counter repeated terrorist attacks,” he wrote.

According to Koretskyi, the meeting with the EU delegation was also attended by the leadership of Ukrtransnafta.

“We provided partners with a detailed briefing on the consequences of the Russian attack on the Druzhba pipeline infrastructure. We outlined the current situation and presented a comprehensive recovery plan. We also identified the next joint steps,” the head of Naftogaz said.

Earlier reports said that a “small delegation of European engineers” with the qualifications to assess the Druzhba pipeline damaged by Russian strikes was expected to visit Ukraine on March 18.

However, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said it was unaware of any specific agreements, dates or visits.

A Russian attack on Jan. 27 caused significant damage to the technological and auxiliary equipment of the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.

Following this, Ukraine halted oil transit through the pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia have accused Kyiv of artificially stopping supplies and engaging in “blackmail.” In response, they have blocked diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine through their territory. Slovakia has also stopped providing emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine.

Hungary has also blocked the allocation of a 90 billion euro EU loan to Ukraine.

On March 17, the European Union offered Ukraine technical support and funding to repair the Druzhba pipeline. Kyiv accepted the proposal.