Hungary halts diesel supplies to Ukraine over Druzhba pipeline dispute

Hungary has decided to halt diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine until the flow of oil through the Druzhba pipeline is restored, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday, February 18.

Speaking after a government meeting, Szijjártó outlined the situation regarding Hungary’s oil imports following the suspension of supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.

According to the minister, deliveries have not yet resumed “by decision of Ukraine,” which he described as a “purely political decision.”

“We are suspending diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine, and they will not continue until oil begins flowing again through the Druzhba oil pipeline. That is where we draw the line,” Szijjártó stated.

He noted that Hungary currently possesses strategic oil reserves sufficient for 96 days, emphasising that the country faces no immediate risks in the short term.

Szijjártó also confirmed that Hungarian oil and gas company MOL has ordered its first shipments of Russian crude oil to be delivered to Hungary by sea through Croatia as an alternative supply route.

Earlier, Budapest and Bratislava asked Zagreb to permit the transit of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Adria pipeline.

Meanwhile, Slovakia has declared a state of emergency in its oil sector due to the disruption in supplies.

The transportation of Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline across Ukraine has been suspended since the end of last month following large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

By Tamilla Hasanova