Zelensky: EU pressure to open Russian oil pipeline is 'blackmail'Ukraine says repairs on the pipeline could take up to six weeksKYIV (UKRAINE) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told his European allies that pressure to re-open the Druzhba oil pipeline carrying Russian supplies was like "blackmail", he said in remarks released Sunday. "If we have decided to restore Russian oil supplies, then I want them to know that I am against it... The Strait of Hormuz, a route that once accounted for a fifth of the world's oil supplies, has been virtually paralysed due to the conflict. Ukraine has so far only offered expertise to the Gulf and is not "at war with Iran", Zelensky said. France will provide Ukraine with an air defence system later this year that may be capable of blocking ballistic missiles, Zelensky told reporters.

Source: Bangkok Post March 15, 2026 13:38 UTC