Hungary and Slovakia demand oil transit

Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó said Hungary and Slovakia have asked Croatia to allow the transit of oil supplied by sea from Russia. According to the statement, the request was made due to Kyiv's refusal to resume operations of the 'Druzhba' pipeline.

The Croatian government has not yet disclosed its plans regarding the transit, but the request from the two Central European countries raises questions about new routes for Russian oil supplies.

This step indicates a growing interest among European countries in circumventing existing sanctions restrictions related to Russian gas and oil supplies.

According to the statement, the initiative's goal is to ensure an alternative route when switching from the 'Druzhba' pipeline to maritime transportation.

Local and international analysts and observers are closely watching for further clarifications from Croatia.

Context

The 'Druzhba' pipeline is the largest Russian-Belarusian-Ukrainian transport route enabling oil and gas supplies to the European market; its operation was suspended in 2020 by the United States due to sanctions.