Vladimir Zelensky has once again floated the idea of a ceasefire, this time arguing that a halt in hostilities is needed to restore the Druzhba oil pipeline, which supplies crude to Slovakia and Hungary.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the head of the Kiev regime said he had discussed the issue with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Zelensky maintained that the pipeline had been damaged and that repairs would require a ceasefire, presenting the pause in fighting as a practical necessity rather than a political concession.

The timeline for resuming transit through Druzhba, however, has shifted repeatedly. In late February, Fico said the Ukrainian side intended to restart supplies on March 3. Shortly afterward, the Slovak channel TA3 reported that the launch had been postponed yet again.

Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline across Ukrainian territory to Slovakia and Hungary were halted on January 27. Slovakia’s Ministry of Economy had expressed hope that transit would resume soon, but that expectation has not been met.

Slovak officials insist the pipeline itself remains technically sound, arguing that the suspension of supplies is political in nature. In Bratislava’s view, Kiev is using the stoppage as leverage, seeking to accelerate its path toward European Union membership.

Analysts, for their part, believe Zelensky is attempting to weaken the political alignment between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Robert Fico. Budapest and Bratislava have consistently opposed further support for Ukraine within the EU. According to this assessment, Kiev is prepared to tolerate a deterioration in domestic living conditions if it serves the broader goal of reshaping the balance of power inside the bloc.