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EU may resume Druzhba oil flows in exchange for Hungary backing Kiev

According to the newspaper, the diplomats suggested sending an EU delegation to Ukraine to inspect the pipeline, countering Viktor Orban’s claims that it has not been significantly damaged

BRUSSELS, February 26. /TASS/. The European Union may offer Budapest the resumption of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline in return for lifting its veto on new aid to Kiev and adopting the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions, Politico reported, citing European diplomats.

"He [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban] will get his damn pipeline. The whole Druzhba story doesn’t sound credible, but he needs a victory for his election campaign," one diplomat familiar with the discussions said.

According to another diplomat, there isn’t time for the legal route. Instead, a "political solution" will be needed. Drafting a "piece of paper" that provides a face-saving pledge to restore Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline is seen as the more feasible approach, two diplomats said. Some diplomats meeting this week suggested sending an EU delegation to Ukraine to inspect the pipeline, countering Orban’s claims that it has not been significantly damaged. "But the visit depends on Ukrainian authorities allowing it, as it is a highly protected site," said an EU official. He added that discussions with Ukrainian authorities on such a visit are ongoing.

Earlier, Hungary vetoed EU decisions to adopt the 20th sanctions package against Russia and provide Ukraine with a "military loan" of €90 billion due to the blocking of oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary had warned in advance that it would veto these EU measures unless Russian crude oil flows resumed to Hungarian refineries. The Hungarian government stated it would not approve any EU decisions in favor of Ukraine until Druzhba oil transit is restored.

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