Following the interruption of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, Hungary and Slovakia have initiated the use of their emergency crude reserves to supply their key refiners, MOL and Slovnaft. The supply halt began on January 27th after reported damage to a Ukrainian section of the pipeline from a Russian aerial attack.

Insistence on Pipeline Resumption and Alternative Measures

Despite activating reserves and arranging alternative supplies via the Adria pipeline to a Croatian marine terminal, both countries continue to demand the resumption of Druzhba pipeline flows. They have expressed frustration over the lack of repair progress and have threatened to cut cross-border fuel and electricity supplies to Ukraine and Russia until operations resume. Hungarian officials emphasize that cheap Russian energy is crucial for maintaining low utility bills domestically.

European Commission's Position on Supply Security

The European Commission states there is no immediate supply risk, noting both countries hold strategic oil stocks equivalent to 90 days of imports as mandated. The Commission confirms Croatia can increase the Adria pipeline's capacity to fully replace the interrupted Russian supplies. Furthermore, the Croatian pipeline operator, Janaf, reported that eight tankers of non-Russian crude for MOL are scheduled to arrive by early April, with the first shipment already being unloaded.

EU Policy and the Rejection of Exemptions

The European Commission has rejected a Hungarian request to temporarily lift the EU ban on Russian oil imports to allow seaborne Russian oil via the Adria link. While Hungary and Slovakia have an exemption from the ban for pipeline imports via Druzhba due to their landlocked status, the Commission's objective remains to phase out Russian oil from the bloc entirely. A Commission spokesperson stated that the origin of the oil should not impact energy security for citizens and encouraged sourcing oil from suppliers other than Russia, which has "consistently weaponised" the demand for its fossil fuels.