US Edition
Hungary asks Croatia for help after Russian oil flows via Ukraine halted
Hungary and Slovakia seek Croatian Adria pipeline access to replace about 80% of Russian crude disrupted by Russian attacks on Ukraine's Druzhba pipeline, officials said.
- On April 8, 2025 Hungary and Slovakia requested that Croatia allow shipment of Russian crude via the Adriatic pipeline, with Peter Szijjarto and Denisa Sakova jointly writing to the Croatian government in Zagreb.
- Oil transit along the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine has been halted since late last month amid Russian attacks, leaving Budapest reliant on this route for most of its oil flows.
- On social media, Croatia signalled it could assist within EU law and US sanctions, with Szijjarto noting `We are on very good terms with the Trump administration`.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has remained committed to Russian energy and frequently debated Adriatic pipeline capacity with Croatia, while Robert Fico on Sunday echoed Orban's view of Ukraine using Druzhba for political leverage.
- In bilateral meetings, Szijjarto said the US framework includes economic elements and a planned nuclear cooperation agreement, highlighting broader energy diplomacy, as he discussed with Marco Rubio on Monday.
57 Articles
57 Articles
The Adria pipeline is ready for operation, so there are no technical excuses for any EU country to remain tied to Russian crude oil, Croatian Economy Minister Ante Shushnyar said at the request of Hungary and Slovakia to transport Russian oil along this route.
Since the end of January no more Russian oil comes through the Drushba pipeline. Now Hungary and Slovakia are experiencing problems with the supply.
Zagreb called on Budapest and Bratislava to stop profiting in the war.
Croatia Rejects Hungary’s Request to Transit Russian Oil via Adria Pipeline
Hungary and Croatia traded sharp public statements this week after Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukrainian territory, was halted. The diplomatic dispute escalated when Zagreb rejected Budapest’s request to use the Adria pipeline as an alternative route for Russian crude. Croatia insists its infrastructure is ready to supply non-Russian oil but will not be used to perpetuate Hungary’s dependence on the Kreml…
Hungary and Slovakia have not received any crude oil via the Barátság oil pipeline since January 27, 2026. (No Russian oil arrived in Hungary during the month due to a Russian attack, but Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó blames the Ukrainians for this.) In order to make up for the lost volumes, MOL has started supplying its refineries with crude oil by sea. Due to the longer transit time of sea transport, this supply route is being built up grad…
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