Slovakia and Hungary Clash with EU Over Alternative Oil Route

Slovakia and Hungary have opposed the European Commission's proposal to use Croatia for alternative oil supplies, citing high costs and reliability concerns. The halt in Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline has led to calls for EU mediation. Both nations seek reinstated flows from Russia or alternative solutions.

Slovakia and Hungary have pushed back against a European Commission proposal suggesting replacement of halted Russian oil supplies through an alternative Croatian route. The proposed switch is deemed too costly by the two nations.

After Ukraine banned Lukoil from using the Druzhba pipeline in July, which connects Russia to eastern Europe, Hungary and Slovakia sought European Commission intervention to mediate the ensuing security of supply crisis. Despite these efforts, they rejected the EC's proposal to utilize spare capacity in Croatia's JANAF Adriatic pipeline.

Citing Croatia's unreliability and escalated transit prices, Hungary and Slovakia have demanded that Ukraine fully restore Russian oil flows or otherwise find other solutions. This discord follows the European Union's 2022 prohibition on Russian oil imports, exempting Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic to seek alternative sources.