The European Union is pressing Ukraine to allow inspectors access to the Druzhba pipeline after a Russian air strike in January. Hungary and Slovakia, which rely on the pipeline for Russian oil, accuse Kyiv of exaggerating damage claims. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has delayed a €90bn EU aid package for Ukraine over the dispute.

Ukraine maintains the pipeline suffered extensive damage from the attack, with Naftogaz CEO Sergii Koretskyi reporting a fire that took 10 days to extinguish in a tank holding 75,000 cubic metres of oil. Ukrainian officials say technicians have provided evidence to European counterparts but security concerns prevent inspector access. The commission has not commented on requests for independent assessment.

Energy prices have surged following US and Israeli military action against Iran, heightening tensions over the pipeline's status. One EU diplomat called Kyiv's refusal an "own goal" that gives Orbán justification to block aid. Ukraine's leadership views the pipeline as supplying oil to Russia's allies during wartime and questions why repairs should take priority without a ceasefire. Satellite images confirm damage to the site, though the full extent remains disputed between Kyiv and Budapest.