Hungary orders Russian oil shipments by sea as Druzhba pipeline remains offline

Hungary’s energy company MOL Group has ordered shipments of Russian crude oil by sea to replace supplies halted on the Barátság (Druzhba) oil pipeline, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced.

Speaking to Index, Szijjártó said the first tankers are expected to arrive at a Croatian port in early March. From there, the oil could reach Hungary and Slovakia within five to ten days, which reduces the need to draw heavily on strategic reserves.

The pipeline, one of Hungary’s main crude supply routes, has been out of operation since late January after it was hit during a Russian attack. Since then, no Russian oil has reached Hungary through the route.

Temporary solution under EU exemption

Szijjártó stressed that both Hungary and Slovakia are legally allowed to continue buying Russian crude under an EU exemption. He added that European rules also permit maritime purchases if pipeline deliveries become impossible.

“We are in the same boat with the Slovaks,” he said, noting that both governments had informed Croatia they would exercise this right.

According to the minister, the maritime deliveries should ensure stable fuel supplies from mid-March without significantly depleting Hungary’s emergency stocks.

According to Economx, State Secretary for Energy Attila Steiner said the government has prepared for the partial release of strategic reserves to guarantee uninterrupted domestic fuel supply while alternative imports are secured.

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Dispute with Ukraine intensifies

The supply disruption has also fuelled political tensions with Ukraine. Budapest claims Kyiv is using the situation for “political blackmail” by failing to restart transit, while

Ukrainian officials argue Hungary has known from the outset that a Russian strike caused the shutdown.

In response, Hungary has suspended diesel exports to Ukraine until crude oil flows resume. Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said it was “strange” that Hungarian officials have not clearly acknowledged that Russia was responsible for the damage.

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Energy security a priority

While on a visit to Washington, D.C., Szijjártó emphasised that Hungary’s fuel and energy security remains safe. He said the new sea shipments should cover most of the shortfall and limit the use of emergency reserves to a “small portion”.

The minister was in the United States as part of a delegation attending a meeting linked to President Donald Trump’s newly announced peace initiative.