The Druzhba pipeline has become one of the most politically charged pieces of infrastructure in Europe since a Russian drone ‌strike damaged the pipeline in western Ukraine ‌and stopped Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia.

Hungary's oil group MOL said Wednesday (April 22) that the Ukrainian operator of the Druzhba pipeline has officially informed the company that it is ready to resume crude oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia.

A Russian strike on a Ukrainian pumping station in January caused an extended suspension of oil shipments through the pipeline.

Russian oil ​flowed through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline on Wednesday after a halt lasting months, officials ‌said, unblocking a 90 billion euro ($105.79 billion) EU loan urgently needed by Kyiv.

Though Kyiv is in effect helping its invader fund itself, Ukraine views the loan as critical to maintain its ability to repel Russian forces.

Ukraine will resume pumping ​oil through the Druzhba ‌pipeline on Wednesday afternoon, an industry ​source told Reuters, ​as Kyiv seeks to ⁠unlock a 90 ​billion euro EU ​loan it urgently needs.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said repairs were complete and urged the EU to unblock a 90-billion-euro loan halted by an argument ‌over the pipe.

The news comes after Hungary and Slovakia said Ukraine had resumed oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, with the first deliveries expected by April 23.