Slovakia has resumed receiving oil through the Druzhba pipeline after the Ukrainian section of the pipeline was restored on April 22. This was confirmed by Slovakia’s Minister of Economy, Denisa Sakova.
According to Sakova, oil deliveries began early Thursday morning at 2 a.m. She stated that the acceptance of oil is proceeding according to an agreed-upon plan, which was reportedly provided by the Ukrainian side to the Slovak oil transporter, Transpetrol, on the same day.
On April 22, Ukrtransnafta announced the completion of repair work on the Ukrainian segment of the Druzhba pipeline and the lifting of force majeure conditions. Minister Sakova noted that Ukrtransnafta had initiated the pressurization and filling of the Druzhba pipeline.
Subsequently, it was reported that the flow of crude oil from Belarus through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline has resumed. Following this restoration, the first shipments to EU countries are expected shortly, with Hungary confirming the resumption of transportation.
The Druzhba pipeline is a critical route for oil supply to Central European countries.
On January 27, a Russian attack in Brody, Lviv Oblast, damaged infrastructure related to the Druzhba pipeline. Naftogaz reported that the Russian military targeted a critical infrastructure facility in western Ukraine, resulting in a fire and the halting of technological processes at the site.
According to the publication enkorr, the facility in Brody is linked to the Druzhba pipeline, which continues to operate, transporting Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
On February 12, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline had been halted since January 27 due to the Russian attack. He also mentioned that Budapest was preparing to file complaints regarding transit issues.
Sybiha criticized Hungary for not expressing any protest to Russia regarding the situation, highlighting perceived double standards in their response.
Both the Hungarian and Slovak governments announced a suspension of diesel exports to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline are restored.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that Kyiv had informed Budapest about the Russian attack on the Druzhba pipeline in Brody and the resulting damage on January 27, arguing that accusations of delays in supplies from Ukraine are illogical.
The European Commission expressed a desire for Ukraine to restore operations on the Druzhba pipeline, but indicated that the decision should be made by Ukraine due to the risk of further Russian attacks.
On February 21, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that Slovakia would halt electricity supplies to Ukraine on February 23 if oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline was not restored. A similar statement was made by the Hungarian government.
Ukraine has proposed to the European Union the use of the Odessa-Brody pipeline as an alternative to the damaged Druzhba pipeline for oil supplies to the EU.
On February 27, Viktor Orban announced that Hungary and Slovakia are establishing a joint investigative commission to assess the condition of the Druzhba pipeline. On March 11, it was reported that a delegation from Hungary, led by State Secretary Gabor Chepek, had arrived in Ukraine to evaluate the state of the Druzhba pipeline and facilitate the restoration of oil transit to Hungary. However, President Zelensky stated he was unaware of any such delegation arriving, as no agreements had been made with the Hungarian Foreign Ministry regarding the visit.
Slovakia has resumed oil imports via the Druzhba pipeline following repairs to the Ukrainian section. This development comes after a series of disruptions caused by Russian military actions and subsequent negotiations between the involved countries.