Pipeline game reaches stalemate; EU plans to help Ukraine repair infrastructure to break Hungary's aid blockade

Golden Ten Data reported on March 5th that the European Union is considering providing financial aid to Ukraine for the repair of the "Friendship" oil pipeline facilities. Currently, Hungary and Slovakia are blocking support for Kyiv and sanctions against Russia, making the resumption of oil supply through this pipeline a prerequisite. According to informed sources, the European Commission, as the executive body of the alliance, may allocate this support through budgetary assistance provided to Ukraine. The sources also stated that the EU is prepared to offer professional technical support. Given the extensive damage, Kyiv is currently unable to provide a timeline for completing the repairs. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of withholding supplies and express doubts about the extent of the damage. Both countries have not acknowledged that Russia launched an attack in January. Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán is facing elections in April and is currently trailing in the polls. He stated that before the restoration of crude oil flow, he will obstruct key support for Kyiv, including the EU loan of 90 billion euros (approximately 106 billions USD). Slovakia has already stopped providing emergency electricity to this war-torn country.