Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused some European allies of attempting to “blackmail” Kyiv into restoring the flow of Russian oil through a major pipeline supplying Hungary and Slovakia. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Zelensky said reopening the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline would undermine sanctions imposed on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. The pipeline was damaged during Russian air strikes in January and has not yet been repaired. Dispute over Russian oil transitHungary, which relies heavily on Russian energy, has been pressing for the pipeline to be restored. Budapest has blocked both new European Union sanctions against Russia and a proposed €90bn loan package for Ukraine while the issue remains unresolved. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has made criticism of Ukraine a central theme ahead of national elections in April, with opinion polls suggesting his party is trailing. EU officials have urged Kyiv to repair the pipeline quickly and have requested access for inspectors to assess the damage. Some officials are concerned the dispute could strengthen Orban politically if it remains unresolved. However, Zelensky said allowing Russian oil to pass through Ukraine while Europe continues to sanction Moscow’s exports elsewhere would be inconsistent. “We either sell Russian oil or we don’t,” he said, arguing that restoring the pipeline would effectively weaken the sanctions regime. Ukraine rejects pressureZelensky said he opposed restarting the flow of oil through the pipeline but insisted he was not directly blocking the project. “I am saying openly: I am against it,” he said. The Ukrainian leader added that he had warned European partners that linking the issue to military support for Ukraine would amount to pressure. “If I am given conditions that Ukraine will not receive weapons, then excuse me, I am powerless on this issue,” he said. “I told our friends in Europe that this is called blackmail.” He also stressed that the €90bn EU loan package had been approved by all 27 member states and should be implemented. Drone technology offered to partnersZelensky also highlighted Ukraine’s growing expertise in drone warfare, describing interceptor drones developed during the conflict with Russia as “Ukrainian oil”. He said Kyiv had proposed a $50bn joint drone production agreement with the United States and remained open to cooperation. According to Zelensky, Washington had contacted Ukraine several times since the start of the conflict in the Middle East to discuss possible assistance or support for other countries. Ukraine has become a major producer of interceptor drones designed to defend against Iranian-designed attack drones frequently used by Russian forces. Concerns over Middle East conflictZelensky also warned that the conflict in the Middle East could affect Ukraine by shifting US attention and resources away from the war with Russia. “The United States is currently more focused on the Middle East,” he said, adding that this could lead to delays or reductions in weapons deliveries. He also criticised a recent US decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil shipments in order to stabilise global energy supplies. “Lifting sanctions on Russia will not help the world; it will only help Russia,” Zelensky said. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 15.March 2026
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