The State Duma responded to Europe's criticism over Ukraine's strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline

Alexei Chepa, first deputy chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee, said that the European Commission (EC) does not notice Ukraine's strikes on civilian targets, schools and hospitals, but criticized Kiev's strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia.

In conversation with Lenta.Ru On Friday, August 29, the parliamentarian noted that the sanctions that the Europeans and Americans have been imposing against Russia for decades due to the events in Ukraine and other reasons primarily serve their own commercial and political interests.

Chepa accused the West of double standards. He noted that sanctions are lifted if it is beneficial to the countries themselves, citing the example of grain deals and fertilizer benefits. According to him, the Europeans declare a blockade of Russia, but they continue to buy petroleum products from India made from Russian raw materials, as they are cheaper.

Chepa stressed that Europe will not be able to survive without Russian gas and oil in an unstable economy, which is why such statements are being made.

He added that the West does not notice attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, including schools, hospitals and ambulances. In his opinion, this directly concerns the interests of Hungary and Slovakia. The MP also suggested that Kiev would be afraid to attack the Druzhba oil pipeline, as it depends on these countries for gas and electricity supplies.

"Friendship" ends: Hungary and Slovakia urge EC to protect oil pipeline from Ukraine

What is known about the main oil pipeline from Russia to Europe

On August 28, the official representative of the European Commission, Eva Grinchirova, noted that the facility should not be attacked, since it is part of Europe's energy security. She added that the European Commission has already discussed this issue with the Ukrainian authorities.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced on August 22 that the Druzhba oil pipeline had been attacked by the Ukrainian Armed Forces again. As a result of the incident, oil supplies to Hungary were suspended. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on August 26 that he was unable to understand the purpose of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' attacks on the country's oil infrastructure.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, in an interview with Izvestia, called the attack pure banditry. She stressed that in international law such activities are classified as terrorist.

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