Oil Pipeline Repaired, Supply to Resume; EU Seeks to Unfreeze Ukraine Aid Loan

(Central News Agency, Brussels, 22nd, Combined Foreign Agencies) As Kyiv announced that the damaged oil pipeline has been repaired, the European Union (EU) will take action today seeking to unfreeze a 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine. This aid loan had previously been frozen due to a veto by Hungary.

AFP reported that outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who lost this month's parliamentary elections, had blocked the loan for several months, citing the damage to the "Druzhba" pipeline that transports Russian oil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted yesterday that Kyiv has repaired the pipeline, which was damaged after being hit by Russian forces, and urged the EU to quickly approve the much-needed loan. Hungary emphasized that it will not drop its veto until the actual flow of oil resumes.

A Ukrainian official told AFP this morning that oil is expected to flow through the pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia "within hours."

Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states are scheduled to meet later today in Brussels and are expected to be asked to give final approval for the loan.

In addition to the aid loan, member state ambassadors are also expected to review and approve a new round of sanctions against Russia, which had been delayed due to the pipeline dispute.

Hungary and Slovakia, the most pro-Russian members of the EU, accused Kyiv of intentionally delaying the repair work. Zelenskyy made no secret of his tough stance, criticizing some EU members for continuing to purchase Russian oil and gas, effectively funding Moscow's war of aggression, which has lasted for over four years.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy yesterday also called on the EU to advance the long-stalled 20th round of sanctions against Russia. Slovakia, which had previously joined Hungary in boycotting the sanctions, stated yesterday that it would drop its veto once oil supply is restored.