Zelensky calls pressure to reopen Russian oil pipeline is like ‘blackmail’

2026-03-15 - 10:33

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that if Ukraine is not given weapons, he is powerless. (EPA Images pic) KYIV: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told his European allies that pressure to reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline transporting Russian crude was like “blackmail”, he said in remarks released today. The Soviet-era pipeline that crosses Ukraine was damaged in a Russian strike in January, Kyiv says. Ukraine says repairs could take up to six weeks, angering both Hungary and Slovakia, which depend on the pipeline for much of their energy needs. Hungary and Slovakia have threatened to block EU aid to Ukraine unless it swiftly re-opens the pipeline, while the European Commission has proposed a mission to inspect the pipeline. “I am saying openly: I am against it. But if I am given conditions that Ukraine will not receive weapons, then, excuse me, I am powerless on this issue, I told our friends in Europe that this is called blackmail,” Zelensky told reporters.