The Croatian government is in discussions with Hungary, Slovakia, and the European Commission regarding alternative oil supplies through the Adria pipeline, aimed at addressing disruptions caused by the Friendship pipeline. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković confirmed these negotiations, emphasizing Croatia’s role as a reliable partner in ensuring energy security for both Hungary and Slovakia.
The Adria pipeline has a capacity of 15 million tonnes per year, which is sufficient to meet the oil demands of both neighboring countries. Plenković stated,
“Croatia is here as a neighbor, partner, and friend to ensure energy security and the uninterrupted functioning of the economies of both Hungary and Slovakia.”
Recently, the European Commission indicated that Croatia is exploring the legality of importing Russian oil by sea for subsequent transport to Hungary and Slovakia via the Adria pipeline.
The Friendship pipeline has faced significant challenges following a Russian attack on January 27, which damaged critical infrastructure in Brody, Lviv Oblast. The Ukrainian state oil and gas company reported that the Russian military targeted this facility, resulting in a fire and halting technological processes at the site.
Reports indicate that the damaged facility is linked to the Friendship pipeline, which remains operational for transporting Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. On February 12, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that oil supplies through the Friendship pipeline had been suspended since the January attack, and Budapest is preparing to lodge complaints regarding transit issues.
Sybiha criticized Hungary for not expressing any protest to Russia regarding the situation, stating,
“Hungary did not utter a word of protest to Russia. They could not even say the word ‘Russia.’ Double standards are evident.”
Both the Hungarian and Slovak governments have declared a halt to diesel exports to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies through the Friendship pipeline are restored. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has informed Budapest about the attack on the Friendship pipeline and the resulting damages, asserting that accusations of delays in supply are unfounded.
The European Commission has expressed a desire for Ukraine to restore operations on the Friendship pipeline, but noted that any decision must take into account the risk of further attacks from Russia.
On February 21, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that Slovakia would cease electricity supplies to Ukraine on February 23 if oil transit through the Friendship pipeline was not reinstated. 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 for oil supplies to the EU, in light of the issues affecting the Friendship pipeline.
On February 23, Fico confirmed that Slovakia had stopped electricity supplies to Ukraine due to the cessation of oil transit through the Friendship pipeline. However, the Ukrainian energy company Ukrenergo stated that the potential halt of emergency electricity supplies from Slovakia would not impact the situation in Ukraine’s unified energy system, and no official documents regarding the termination of the agreement had been received from the Slovak side.
Croatia is negotiating with Hungary and Slovakia to secure alternative oil supplies through the Adria pipeline, following disruptions in the Friendship pipeline caused by a Russian attack. The discussions reflect regional efforts to maintain energy security amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Source: Reuters