Zelensky linked the restoration of Druzhba and receiving an EU loan of €90 billion

The restoration of the Druzhba oil pipeline is technically possible within a month and a half, but this will happen only if European countries do not find ways to unlock a loan of €90 billion for Ukraine. This was announced on March 5 by President Vladimir Zelensky at a meeting with the government.

According to him, he would not restore the pipeline, but, as the European Union points out, the loan will be blocked if Ukraine does not start work. The President said that, according to information from Naftogaz, the pipeline could be operational within a month and a half, but this does not mean the restoration of everything that was destroyed.

"Recovery is possible within a month and a half if European countries do not find other options on how not to block money for Ukraine," he was quoted as saying by the Ukrinform news agency.

In addition, Zelensky stated his unwillingness to allow an independent commission to assess the state of Friendship. He expressed the opinion that representatives of the European Commission should not distrust the data of the Ukrainian side.

Druzhba in debt: EU may make concessions to Hungary for the sake of a loan to Ukraine

Is Brussels able to convince Orban, who does not intend to lift the veto on the financing of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on March 5 that the country would defeat Ukraine by force on the issue of the Druzhba oil pipeline and would not compromise. According to him, the Ukrainian side must resume the operation of the pipeline and fulfill its obligations in accordance with the EU Association Agreement.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on March 4 after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Hungary and Russia had agreed to look for alternative energy supply routes if pipelines become unavailable.

On February 26, Orban demanded that the EU check the condition of the Druzhba pipeline. He clarified that the assessment of the condition of the Druzhba pipeline could help unlock financing for Ukraine from the EU.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, in turn, announced on February 25 that Bratislava was ready to take new measures against Kiev due to the unwillingness of the Ukrainian side to allow Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.