Czechs offer Slovakia emergency oil as Druzhba dispute escalates
The halt of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline due to extensive Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure has caused serious problems for Hungary and Slovakia, which are still dependent on Russian oil. Amid rising tensions, Prague has offered Bratislava “a limited volume of oil supplies” to help the neighbor state in the event of a crisis.
The transport of Russian crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline leading through Ukraine has been halted since the end of January, due to extensive Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The fallout has sparked a dispute between Ukraine and the two EU member states which have maintained their dependence on Russian oil for financial reasons and who claim that Kyiv is intentionally delaying repairs as a form of political pressure.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused Ukraine of “political blackmail”, putting it into context with Hungary’s refusal to support Ukraine’s fast-track accession to the EU.
In the meantime, Budapest has officially requested that Croatia allow Russian oil shipments through the Adria pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia, while the key route through Ukraine remains blocked, reminding Zagreb of its responsibility as an EU member.
Zagreb responded by saying that it is ready comply, but under no circumstances will it be of Russian origin. It moreover stressed that the crisis only confirms that the Hungarian and Slovak exemption allowing continued acquisition of crude oil from Russia is a potential problem.
Amid rising tensions, Czech Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček (ANO) has offered Slovakia “a limited volume” of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.
Havlíček stressed that this could only be a temporary solution. Under current conditions, he said, only limited volumes could be supplied to Slovakia; larger deliveries would require technical modifications.
“Technical preparations and adjustments could take several months. On the other hand, we are ready to provide some emergency supplies within a short space of time,” Havlíček said.
In the past, oil flowed through Druzhba from Slovakia to the Czech Republic, which is no longer dependent on Russian crude thanks to investments expanding its western transit route. Oil now reaches the Czech Republic via the Italian TAL pipeline and the connecting IKL pipeline.
The Czech section of the Druzhba pipeline is owned by the state-run company MERO. Its experts say that if the Druzhba pipeline were to be used permanently in reverse mode — from west to east — it would require more time, possibly up to a year.
A key issue that also needs clarification is the oil itself — specifically, what type of crude oil Slovakia could import via the Czech Republic under both a “crisis” scenario and a longer-term arrangement.
The European Commission has also intervened in the crisis. According to a Commission spokesperson, there is no short-term risk of oil shortages in Hungary or Slovakia, as both countries hold 90 days’ worth of emergency reserves, which they are required to have by law. In the meantime, the Commission is reportedly in contact with Ukraine regarding the timeline for the Druzhba pipeline repairs.
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