Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:58pm on 15 Mar 2026,Sunday International
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused some European Union allies of “blackmail” over a Russian oil pipeline dispute. The EU wants Ukraine to repair the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. Ukraine says the pipeline was damaged by Russian air strikes in January. Zelensky argued that reopening the pipeline would weaken sanctions on Russia during the war. Hungary has blocked new EU sanctions on Moscow and a €90 billion loan for Ukraine until the pipeline is restored. Zelensky said Ukraine should not allow Russian oil transit while sanctions remain in place. The dispute highlights growing tensions within the EU. (PC: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
