Crude oil flows from Russia to Slovakia and Hungary have been restored after a Ukrainian attack suspended exports earlier this week, Reuters has reported, citing official statements.
“The flow of oil to Slovakia is currently standard,” Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said in a statement, as quoted by the publication. “In the coming days, we will have clearer information about whether there will be any adjustments to the supply schedule for this month … However, I believe that given the rapid resumption of flow through the Druzhba pipeline, the impact will be minimal.”
“Oil deliveries to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline have been restored after the Ukrainian attack two days ago. I thanked Russian Deputy Minister Sorokin for the swift repairs. We expect Ukraine not to strike this vital pipeline again. This is not our war. Hungary must be left out of it!” Hungary’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, said in a statement on X.
Yesterday, Szijjarto reported the halt to oil flows to Hungary via Druzhba, saying “Ukraine has attacked again the oil pipeline to Hungary, which has halted petroleum transportation to our country,” in a statement on Facebook. This is yet another attack against Hungary’s energy security, and it is “outrageous and unacceptable,” the official added.
The Druzhba pipeline carries Russian crude to Central Europe. The pipeline is a key artery of oil supply from Russia to Europe, with two branches – a northern one via Belarus that supplies Belarus, Poland, Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania, and a southern one passing through Ukraine and sending oil to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia.
Russian crude oil flows via pipeline are not subject to sanctions or embargoes, as landlocked central European countries don’t have much choice.
While the Czech Republic earlier this year switched from Russian deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline to imports via another pipeline, from the West, Hungary and Slovakia have continued to rely on the Soviet-era infrastructure for most of their crude oil supply.
By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com
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