Overview
- Hungary said it will withhold approval of the EU’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine until oil transit to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline resumes, according to Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
- Russian strikes in Ukraine’s Lviv region on Jan. 27 damaged infrastructure and stopped Druzhba flows to Hungary and Slovakia, Ukrainian officials and Naftogaz confirmed.
- The European Commission said it would welcome reactivation of the line but stressed that the timing is Kyiv’s decision given security risks, adding Hungary and Slovakia have oil reserves covering roughly 90 days.
- An EU Ad Hoc Oil Coordination Group meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25 as Brussels consults with Hungarian, Slovak, and Croatian counterparts on supply options.
- Hungary moved to release 250,000 tons of crude from strategic reserves with priority for MOL, while Croatia’s economy minister said Zagreb will not transport Russian oil via the Adria pipeline; Hungary and Slovakia also announced halts to diesel exports to Ukraine.