Czechia ends its dependence on Russian oil
Photo: Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of Czechia (Getty Images)
Czechia has, for the first time in history, become fully independent from Russian oil supplies. This became possible thanks to the project to expand the western TAL pipeline, Ceske noviny reports, citing Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of Czechia.
According to Fiala, for the first time in more than 60 years, Czechia has become independent from the Druzhba oil pipeline.
"The first increased deliveries of non-Russian oil arrived from the Italian port of Trieste to the central oil terminal in Nelahozeves on Wednesday. This afternoon, MERO CR will begin transporting crude oil to its owner, the company Orlen Unipetrol, to the refinery in Litvínov," said the director of MERO CR.
From now on, Czechia is capable of pumping up to 8 million tons of crude oil per year through western pipelines. This will be enough to cover the consumption of the country's oil refineries.
"We've taken another step on the path toward our energy independence," the Prime Minister stated.
Rejection of Russian oil
After the start of Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, the West began gradually abandoning energy resources from Russia. For example, the countries of the European Union, the United States of America, and a number of their partners reduced imports of oil, gas, and coal from Russia, introducing sanctions and restrictions.
According to media reports, the European Commission plans to announce a detailed strategy for the phased abandonment of Russian oil and gas imports.
Meanwhile, Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet stated that any talk about Western countries potentially returning to energy ties with the terrorist state of Russia is "an illusion.
