Trending Now - EU Proposes Funding for Ukraine Oil Pipeline Amid Regional Tensions
WHO:
European Union officials, including European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Tisza party leader Péter Magyar
Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó
Slovakia's Energy Ministry
WHAT:
The EU has offered to pay Ukraine to repair a damaged oil pipeline.
Hungary has vetoed a 90-billion-euro ($106 billion) EU loan to Ukraine.
The Druzhba pipeline, which carries crude oil to Hungary, was damaged due to Russian drone attacks.
Hungary and Slovakia agreed to build a new pipeline, 127 kilometers (79 miles) long, capable of transporting 1.5 million tons of gas and diesel per year.
Work on the new pipeline is expected to be completed by the first half of 2027.
WHERE:
Brussels, Belgium
Hungary (Százhalombatta) and Slovakia (Bratislava)
WHEN:
The EU's offer was made on March 17th, 2026.
The Druzhba pipeline was damaged in late January 2026.
The agreement for the new pipeline was signed on March 17th, 2026.
WHY:
The EU aims to persuade Hungary to lift its veto on the aid package to Ukraine.
Hungary's government is blocking the loan due to interrupted oil shipments from Ukraine.
Orbán claims Ukraine is deliberately delaying repairs to the pipeline for political reasons.
HOW:
The EU is providing technical support and funding to Ukraine for pipeline repairs.
Hungary and Slovakia are constructing a new pipeline to improve regional fuel security and supply flexibility.
(UPDATED March 18, 2026 13:26 UTC)
In a significant development, European Union officials, including President Ursula von der Leyen and President António Costa, have offered to pay Ukraine for repairs to the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline, which was hit by Russian drone attacks in late January. However, Hungary has vetoed a substantial 90-billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine, citing concerns over interrupted oil shipments and claiming that Ukraine is intentionally delaying repairs for political reasons. To bolster regional fuel security, Hungary and Slovakia have signed an agreement to construct a new pipeline, set to be completed by the first half of 2027, which will transport 1.5 million tons of gas and diesel per year.