Compromise to cross Ukraine: EU refineries pay Russia's Druzhba fees

A compromise to cross Ukraine
EU refiners pay Russia’s Druzhba fee

The southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline mainly supplies oil to Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. This usually comes from Russia and flows through Ukraine – allegedly no longer smooth due to new European sanctions. Two refineries from Slovakia and Hungary are involved.

Shipments of Russian oil via the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline to Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia may resume soon. Anton Molnar, a spokesman for Slovak’s Slovak refinery, said Ukraine and Russia had agreed to a compromise. Accordingly, the Hungarian refinery company MOL and its Slovak subsidiary Slovnaft will initially pay transit fees to Ukraine. Molnar explained that Slovnaft had already made the first payment.

According to the Russian operating company Transneft, it flows through the Druzhba . pipeline No oil since last Thursday More via Ukraine to Europe. The state-owned company blamed Ukraine for stopping deliveries: accordingly, it requires advance payment for transit of Russian oil. However, payments made due to new European sanctions have been rejected, Transneft says. Ukrainian pipeline operator Ukrtransnafta was said to have completely stopped pumping oil through the southern branch of the Druzhba River on August 4 at 6:10 am.

Slovak Economy Minister Richard Solek assumes that Ukraine will open transit again soon. “It is possible that deliveries will resume in the next 24 hours,” he said on Slovak TV. Ukrtransnaft received nine to ten million euros from Slovnaft.

Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are mainly supplied with oil through the pipeline. It also connects the northern branch of the Druzhba pipeline between Russia and Germany. This pipeline passes through Belarus and Poland to the border town of Schwedt in Brandenburg. Transneft explained that deliveries will continue via this route north of Druzhba.

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