The diplomatic freeze between Kyiv and Budapest appears to be over. After months of deadlock and mutual accusations, there are growing signs that Russian crude oil is once again flowing through the Druzhba (“Friendship”) pipeline to Central Europe. On Tuesday, the Kremlin made it clear that it is “technically ready” to resume oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, as soon as—hinting at what it sees as the rather suspicious timing on Ukraine’s part—Kyiv puts an end to “blackmail.” While Moscow blames Kyiv, Ukraine shifts the responsibility to the EU.
As Reuters reported, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “the Russian side remains technically ready.” Peskov added that Russia is aware of its contractual obligations toward Hungary, but deliveries have been suspended due to what he described as the “Kyiv regime’s blackmail.”
Everything depends on the Kyiv regime—whether they will open the pipeline and put an end to the blackmail,”
Peskov said.
The Druzhba pipeline was shut down on January 27 after Ukraine claimed that a section had been damaged as a result of a Russian strike. This triggered a serious diplomatic dispute between Ukraine and Hungary—as well as Slovakia—which import Russian oil via the pipeline. The Hungarian government is currently vetoing a €90 billion EU loan intended for Ukraine. The latest developments, however, could pave the way for the European Union to disburse the loan to Kyiv.
The easing of tensions correlates strikingly with the political upheavals in Hungary.
Prime minister-elect Péter Magyar had already called on Kyiv on Monday to open the pipeline as soon as it was operational. Péter Magyar, who has taken a significantly more pro-Ukrainian stance than his predecessor Viktor Orbán, simultaneously emphasized, however, the expectation that Moscow would honor the supply contracts.
According to Reuters, Ukraine could restart oil flows via Druzhba pipeline on Wednesday. This is supported by a post from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X, stating that “as agreed in communication with the European Union, Ukraine has completed repair work on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged by a Russian strike.” In another post, he stated: “We hope that the EU will also deliver on the agreed commitments,”—a clear indication of the urgently needed financial assistance. The Ukrainian president had previously indicated several times that the pipeline would be repaired and restarted by the end of April.
We discussed our priorities in energy cooperation with partners.
First, in the context of the crisis caused by the war in Iran, it is important to fully implement the agreements on supplying Ukraine with the necessary volumes of fuel. The volumes for April and May are secured.… pic.twitter.com/MkDnhqkBQC
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 21, 2026
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, expressed optimism on Tuesday following the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
She expects a positive decision on the 90-billion-euro loan within 24 hours, should Hungary now withdraw its veto.
For Ukraine, the release of the funds is vital, as the country could face financial distress as early as June without new EU funds, Világgazdaság reports. Slovakia also signaled its approval. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár stated, according to the TASR news agency, that Bratislava is prepared to support the 20th package of sanctions against Russia as soon as oil flows again.
We expect some positive decisions tomorrow on the €90 billion loan to Ukraine.
This would show that our support for Ukraine remains strong and that Russia cannot outlast Ukraine.
My doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓ pic.twitter.com/JvcQUcpvms
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) April 21, 2026
Despite the rapprochement, trust remains low. Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Tuesday that “no one can guarantee that Russia will not repeat the attacks on the infrastructure.” At the same time, the industry reports that Moscow intends to halt deliveries of Kazakh oil to Germany via another branch of the pipeline starting May 1—a sign that energy continues to be used as a political lever.
Via Reuters, Világgazdaság; Featured image: newsroom.consilium.europa.eu
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