Europe funds Ukraine — but still buys Russian energy? | DW News

Russian oil is flowing again through the Druzhba pipeline, which is one of the key routes carrying crude through Ukraine into Central Europe, after it was damaged by a Russian airstrike.

But this is about far more than a technical repair.

Even after years of war, sanctions and promises to reduce dependence on Moscow, some European countries, like Hungary and Slovakia, are still buying Russian energy. That means Russia continues to earn revenue from exports to Europe, even as the EU supports Kyiv militarily and financially.

So why are Hungary and Slovakia still so reliant on Russian oil? Why does Ukraine still allow Russian oil to cross its territory during wartime? And can Europe ever fully break with Russian energy? This is the energy contradiction at the heart of Europe’s Ukraine policy.

In this interview, energy expert Sergey Vakulenko explains:

- Why the Druzhba pipeline still matters

- Why Europe remains tied to Russian oil and gas

- Whether EU money is still indirectly helping fund Russia's war

- How important oil prices are to the Russian state

- And why Russia cut off Kazakhstan-linked supplies to Germany

#dwcurrentaffairs #russianoil #ukrainewar

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