Slovakia expects resumption of Russian oil supplies via Druzhba pipeline

Slovakia expects Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline to resume on April 23, following repair and restoration work carried out on the Ukrainian section of the network.

According to Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Denisa Saková, the process of pressurising and filling the pipeline has already begun on the Ukrainian side, paving the way for the restart of transit flows, Caliber.Az reports. 

“According to information from Ukrtransnaft, pressing and filling of the Druzhba oil pipeline on the Ukrainian side from Belarus began this morning. Expected resumption of pumping and supplies to Slovakia is tomorrow [23.4] in the morning,” Saková wrote on Facebook.

The Druzhba pipeline is one of Europe’s key routes for Russian crude deliveries to Central Europe, including Slovakia and Hungary, both of which remain dependent on Russian oil transported through the system.

Oil flows through the pipeline were significantly disrupted after a strike on a pumping station in Ukraine in January, triggering criticism from EU member states reliant on the route. Hungary and Slovakia accused Kyiv of slowing down repair efforts, allegations Ukraine has rejected.

By Sabina Mammadli