EU experts visit Kyiv to assess Druzhba pipeline and discuss recovery plans
Meeting of Naftogaz Group management with a European delegation regarding the situation with the Druzhba oil pipeline (Photo: Serhiy Koretskyi / Facebook)
European Union experts have arrived in Ukraine to assess the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline and held a working meeting with energy sector officials, Naftogaz CEO Serhiy Koretskyi said, according to Latifundist.com on March 19.
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.
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
