EU signals unexpected concession to Hungary and Slovakia on Russian oil imports
Photo: Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico (Getty Images)
The European Commission may allow Hungary and Slovakia to temporarily import Russian oil via Croatia as an exception, according to the official EU website.
Read also: Ukraine targets Druzhba pipeline: How attacks hit Russia and why Orbán is worried
The ban on Russian oil imports includes exemptions for landlocked countries. This condition would apply if pipeline supplies are halted for reasons beyond the control of these countries.
If approved, the measure would be temporary until the Druzhba pipeline resumes operations or a full ban on oil imports from Russia comes into force. The countries would be required to report their import volumes every three months.
The European Commission did not clarify whether Budapest and Bratislava have formally requested such permission.
Background
On Monday, February 16, Hungary and Slovakia asked Croatia for assistance with importing Russian oil due to problems with the Druzhba pipeline.
In response, Croatia’s Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar said the country is ready to help resolve the issue, but only within the framework of EU legislation and without violating US sanctions.
Druzhba pipeline transit problems
Oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine was halted in January after massive Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. According to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the transit problems began after Russian forces struck the pipeline.
Sybiha emphasized that Budapest did not publicly respond to the attack, although in the past, when the pipeline was damaged during Ukrainian operations, Hungarian officials immediately began threatening Kyiv.
The first strike on the pipeline took place on August 13, 2025. On August 18, Ukrainian forces carried out a second strike on the Nikolskoye oil pumping station in Russia’s Tambov region. The attack caused a fire at the facility and completely halted oil pumping.
