Druzhba Oil Pipeline Resumes: A Ray of Hope for Ukraine's Aid Package

The Druzhba oil pipeline, crucial for pumping Russian oil to Europe, is set to resume operations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed on Tuesday that repair work on the pipeline, hit by a Russian strike, is complete. He signaled expectations for a 90 billion euro aid package to be approved.

The halt in oil flows sparked tension in Hungary and Slovakia, both heavily reliant on Russian oil. Hungary's outgoing administration had contemplated cutting energy aid to Ukraine, while Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the European Commission's aid package for Kyiv, potentially impacting Ukraine's wartime funding.

Zelenskiy linked the pipeline's repair with the unblocking of European support, which was previously greenlit by the European Council. Meanwhile, the Kremlin stated its readiness to technically resume oil flows through Druzhba, hinting at a resolution of the contentious energy standoff.