Russia ready to resume oil transit via Druzhba pipeline to Hungary, Slovakia Kremlin outlines energy and security agenda

The Druzhba pipeline, questions over the next UN leadership, and Europe’s accelerating militarisation set the tone of a Kremlin briefing on April 21 led by spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Speaking with the journalists, Peskov emphasised that Russia remains ready to restart oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“The Russian side remains technically ready; we have contractual obligations with Hungary. But after the pressure from the Kyiv regime began, these supplies were halted,” Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesperson added that the resumption of oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia via Druzhba depends on whether Ukraine is prepared to open the pipeline and stop what he described as “pressure.”

“It all depends on the Kyiv regime: whether they open the pipeline and whether they stop their pressure,” he said.

Peskov also addressed the issue of Europe’s militarisation, stating that the potential holding of French-Polish military exercises reflects Europe’s broader direction toward increased militarisation and nuclearisation.

“We need to look at the details—what kind of weapons are involved and in which countries—but this, without a doubt, once again shows Europe’s tendency toward further militarisation and nuclearisation, in terms of nuclear weapons. This does not contribute to stability and predictability on the European continent,” he said.

The spokesperson also said Russia will take part in ongoing consultations on candidates for the next UN Secretary-General as discussions among member states continue.

He stressed that Russia has a very positive assessment of the work of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, who has been put forward as a candidate for the post of UN Secretary-General, and Moscow is also aware of other candidates and will take part in consultations.

“Regarding the elections: many countries are currently holding quite intensive consultations in connection with the nomination process. Our position has not changed; it is consistent. We know many potential candidates, and we know Mr Grossi from a very positive side,” Peskov said.

He added that Russia remains in constant contact with the IAEA, especially as issues falling under the agency’s mandate are increasingly in a critical and problematic zone, including in the context of the war in Iran.

By Jeyhun Aghazada