The Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, was severely damaged by a fire following a Russian attack in January, said Ukrainian Energy Minister Denis Shmyhal on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban once again criticized the “impertinent” response of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his requests regarding the inspection of the pipeline, which has been shut down since January 27, and its reactivation, reports Agerpres.
According to the Ukrainian Energy Minister, “most of the internal equipment of the pipeline, several sensors and other equipment inside the pipeline were damaged by high temperatures” caused by the fire, and “the damages are not visible from the outside”.
It will take time to estimate the costs and duration of the repairs, added Minister Denis Shmyhal, thus implying that Ukraine will not soon honor Hungary’s and Slovakia’s requests to restore the flow of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an “impertinent” response to these requests, said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Tuesday in a Facebook post. “As long as President Zelensky does not return to reason and normality, we will not support any decision favorable to Ukraine” within the EU, reaffirmed the head of the Hungarian government.
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