Hungary will be able to import Russian oil via the Croatian Adria pipeline until the repair of the 'Friendship' pipeline, which ceased operations as a result of the Russian attack. This was announced at a briefing by European Commission spokespersons Anna Kaisa Itkonnen and Siobhan McGarry.
According to Itkonnen, Hungary informed the European Commission that it wants to import Russian oil through the Adria pipeline as an exception to European sanctions. She emphasized that Brussels is in contact with Ukraine regarding the timeline for the repair of the 'Friendship' pipeline.
A representative of the European Commission added that Hungary and Slovakia have 90-day supplies of 'blue fuel' and are 'not in a state of energy crisis.'
For her part, another Commission representative, Siobhan McGarry, explained that the regulation on the application of sanctions regarding Russian oil allows for exceptions if 'the supply of crude oil through the pipeline from Russia to a landlocked member state is interrupted for reasons beyond the control of that member state.'
She noted that Hungary will be able to transport oil through the Croatian pipeline temporarily - until the repair of the 'Friendship' pipeline is completed. The representative of the European Commission added that Budapest must report to Brussels every three months on the amount of imported Russian oil.
Latest News on the 'Friendship' Pipeline
Foreign Minister Andrei Sibiga reported that on January 27, Russia attacked the 'Friendship' pipeline, causing the transit of Russian oil to Hungary to cease.
As is known, Russia supplies oil through the 'Friendship' pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia. Earlier, this pipeline was attacked on Russian territory, which drew criticism from Hungary and Slovakia.
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