EU offers technical support and funding to Ukraine for oil pipeline repairs
The EU has pledged technical support and funding to assist Ukraine in repairing the damaged Brody pumping station, crucial for oil transportation.
The United States has reduced sanctions on Russian crude at sea, prompting significant backlash from European allies amid ongoing tensions.
Repair works at Brody pumping station are expected to take one and a half months, contingent on the absence of further attacks from Moscow.
Briefing summary
The European Commission has confirmed it will provide technical support and funding for the repair of the Brody pumping station in Ukraine, following serious damage affecting oil transport. President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa conveyed this commitment to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy mentioned that restoring operations at the pumping station would take approximately one and a half months, contingent on security from further Russian attacks. He welcomed the EU’s offer as an opportunity for sustainable solutions.
Amidst this, the United States has relaxed sanctions on Russian crude oil, leading to criticism from European allies. Meanwhile, Hungary has rejected the EU’s intervention and called for an immediate resumption of supplies, claiming the circumstances are politically motivated.
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The bloc has also offered to finance the repair works.
“The EU has offered Ukraine technical support and funding. The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa said on Tuesday.
“European experts are available immediately.”
The “serious” damage inflicted on the Brody pumping station, in western Ukraine, makes it “impossible” to carry oil safely through the pipeline, according to Zelenskyy.
Repairing the pumping station to allow oil flows would need repair works for one and a half months, he added, provided that Moscow does not launch a new attack.
“Within this context, I welcome and accept your offer of the necessary technical support and funding to be able to conclude the repair works as well as to explore the long-term sustainable options,” Zelenskyy said in comments addressed to von der Leyen and Costa.
In reaction to the turmoil, the United States has eased sanctions on Russian crude at sea, prompting swift condemnation from European allies.
“We hope that the EU assistance can pave the way for overcoming the current blockage and ensure the rapid repair of the pipeline,” von der Leyen and Costa say.
The EU has already approved a permanent ban on Russian gas. The Commission is expected to unveil an equivalent measure on Russian oil sometime in spring, but the war in the Middle East is likely to delay the timeline.
“This would represent a decisive step towards strengthening the European Union‘s energy independence and eliminating vulnerabilities associated with Russia’s use of energy as a weapon,” Zelenskyy responded.
A Commission spokesperson did not provide a specific amount of financial assistance that could be provided to Kyiv. The fact-finding mission is already being prepared and could be deployed in the coming days if circumstances allow.
Budapest dismissed the overture and insisted on the immediate restart of supplies.
“Don’t be fooled. This is a political game. Every step was coordinated between Kyiv and Brussels. Let’s not pretend that von der Leyen is solving a problem she was previously unaware of,” said Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
“We call on Zelenskyy and von der Leyen to stop this political theatre.”
This article has been updated with more information.