The European Union is not putting pressure on Ukraine to repair the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline and resume the flow of Russian oil, reports Ukrainska Pravda.
European Commission spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said that the EU does not set deadlines for repairing the pipeline and resuming the flow of Russian oil to Europe.
"So, as far as Ukraine's restoration of the Druzhba oil pipeline is concerned, I want to be very clear that we are in contact with all relevant authorities, including Ukraine, to seek clarity on the repair schedule. We are not pushing; we are not pressuring, nor are we giving Ukraine deadlines to do this," she stressed.
Itkonen pointed out that in the context of the four-year war, Russia has been using Ukraine's energy infrastructure while "strategically and systematically" destroying it.
"Ukraine has shown a superhuman effort to continue repairing and rebuilding, largely with the support of EU member states and the Commission, which we have mobilized to ensure that hospitals and households remain heated and industry can operate.
In this case, we are not pushing, we are not pressuring, and there are no deadlines. It should be very clear. But of course, given the situation, given the context, we are in contact with the Ukrainian side regarding any deadlines," she commented.
Hungary and Slovakia accused Ukraine of delaying the restart of the oil pipeline for political reasons and announced a suspension of diesel fuel exports to Ukraine.