Recent disruptions in crude oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline have escalated tensions among Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia, shifting from a technical issue to a complex political dispute involving sanctions and regional energy security. The Druzhba pipeline, a crucial supply route for Central and Eastern Europe, has been impacted by damage on Ukrainian territory following a Russian drone strike in late January, which halted deliveries of Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
The attack on the pipeline has raised concerns about energy infrastructure safety, with Ukrainian officials emphasizing that the interruption of transit was a direct result of the strike. Local authorities in Brody have also highlighted environmental risks associated with burning oil derivatives as a consequence of this disruption.
In response to the halted deliveries, both Hungary and Slovakia have sought to reroute Urals crude oil through the JANAF pipeline in Croatia. They argue that European Union exemptions permit maritime imports of Russian oil when pipeline deliveries are interrupted. This approach is framed as a necessity for energy security rather than a political maneuver. However, Hungarian officials have accused Ukraine of intentionally delaying the resumption of Druzhba transit, thus shifting blame for the supply crisis. Concurrently, Hungary has suspended diesel exports to Ukraine while the Druzhba pipeline remains offline, with Slovakia indicating it may consider similar actions.
Croatia has adopted a firm stance regarding these developments. Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar has asserted that while JANAF possesses adequate technical capacity to assist in alleviating regional fuel shortages, any support provided must strictly adhere to EU legislation and U.S. sanctions. Croatia’s position emphasizes that it will not facilitate continued deliveries of Russian crude oil.
Historically, Hungary and Slovakia have criticized JANAF as being too expensive and unreliable when it was proposed by the European Commission as an alternative supply route. However, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has recently countered these claims, asserting that Croatia is capable of transporting over 12 million tons of oil annually through JANAF—sufficient to meet the refining needs of both Hungary and Slovakia.
