Ukraine's Oil Pipeline May Resume Operations in Six Weeks, Says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the 'Friendship' oil pipeline, damaged in a Russian attack in January, could be operational again in about six weeks. According to RTHK, the pipeline previously transported Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. However, Ukraine reported that the pipeline was damaged during a Russian assault, halting oil transport since late January. Hungary and Slovakia have rejected Ukraine's claims, accusing Ukraine of deliberately delaying the pipeline's restoration. Hungary has also taken steps to block European Union aid to Ukraine. During a press conference in Kyiv on Thursday, Zelensky expressed reluctance to restart the pipeline, as it carries Russian oil. However, he acknowledged that if reopening the pipeline is the only way to unfreeze critical EU aid plans, Kyiv might have no other choice. Zelensky stated that repair work on the pipeline could be completed within a month and a half, and Ukraine would be fully prepared for its resumption.