Hungary and Slovakia ask European Commission to allow Russian oil imports via Croatia

Hungary and Slovakia today asked the European Commission to apply a rule that would allow both countries to receive Russian oil via Croatia. The request comes amid the suspension of Russian crude transit through Ukraine via the Druzhba pipeline. The Hungarian news agency MTI reported this today, citing a statement by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.

"Hungary has sufficient stocks for more than three months, but will also make use of the European Union rule. It allows Hungary and Slovakia to buy Russian oil transported by sea if pipeline supplies are interrupted," Szijjártó said.

"We are not asking for a favour, but for Croatia to comply with these rules," the Hungarian state news agency quoted the minister as saying.

According to Bloomberg, Croatia had previously said it was ready to grant the request.

Szijjártó said that Hungary and Slovakia had sent a joint letter to the European Commission asking for the rule to be applied.

The government in Budapest has already asked Croatia to allow Russian oil transported by sea in tankers to be shipped via the Adria pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia. According to Szijjártó, the oil shipment is currently on its way. It is expected to arrive in Croatia in early March and then reach Hungary and Slovakia five to ten days later.

On Sunday, Hungary's foreign minister accused Ukraine on X of refusing to resume oil transit for political reasons. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has made similar remarks repeatedly.

Hungary is dependent on the Druzhba pipeline. The pipeline connecting Hungary with Russia runs through Ukraine, which is facing Russian aggression. Moscow launched its invasion of the neighbouring country in February 2022. The European Union is seeking to end imports of Russian oil and natural gas completely in order to make it harder for Moscow to finance the war — Russia's budget derives most of its revenue from sales of energy commodities.