Zelensky expects Hungary to lift its veto on the 90-billion-euro loan intended to finance Kyiv's war efforts against Russia, while confirming that oil will resume flowing through the pipeline by the end of April.
"We promised that the Druzhba oil pipeline would be repaired by the end of April. Not completely, but enough to be operational," Zelensky said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
However, the Ukrainian president also expects understanding from Budapest.
"We believe this goes hand in hand with other obligations of European Union member states, particularly Hungary, which has blocked certain decisions important to us," he added, referring to the loan blocked by Orban's government.
The Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia, has been at the center of a dispute between the European Union and Hungary.
After being damaged in a drone attack in January, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban withdrew his support for the 90-billion-euro loan that Kyiv needs to sustain its war efforts as the Russian invasion enters its fifth year.
However, Hungary's future prime minister, Peter Magyar, whose decisive victory last weekend has fueled optimism among European leaders about a swift turnaround in Budapest, himself signaled on Monday that he is prepared to lift Hungary's blockade.
"We also want to quickly ensure that the EU loan for Ukraine, agreed upon in December, is put into effect. Military aid funds must now be disbursed promptly. Ukraine urgently needs them," said Merz.