EditCroatia’s refusal to transport Russian oil: a blow to Hungary and Slovakia amid energy tensions
"It's time to stop this war profiteering," Slovak minister Ante Šušnjar remarked, highlighting the pipeline's readiness for alternative supplies
In a significant escalation of Europe’s energy woes, Croatia has rejected requests from Hungary and Slovakia to transport Russian oil through its Adria pipeline, following the disruption of supplies via Ukraine. This decision, announced on Monday, underscores the deepening fractures within the European Union over reliance on Russian energy, even as the bloc pushes for diversification amid ongoing sanctions against Moscow.
The move comes at a critical time, with Hungary and Slovakia – two landlocked nations heavily dependent on Russian crude – scrambling to secure alternatives after flows through the Druzhba pipeline halted late last month.
The crisis traces back to 27 January, when Russian airstrikes damaged infrastructure on the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline, halting oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia.
Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, attributed the stoppage to this physical damage, sharing images of the affected sites and urging Hungary and Slovakia to address their complaints to Moscow.
However, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova countered that the halt was politically motivated by Kyiv, labelling it as “blackmail” unrelated to technical issues.
In response, the two ministers jointly appealed to Croatia on 15 February, requesting permission to reroute Russian oil via the Adria pipeline, which connects the Croatian port of Omišalj to refineries in both countries.
Szijjártó emphasized that an EU sanctions exemption granted to Hungary and Slovakia in 2022 allows for seaborne imports of Russian oil in cases of pipeline disruptions.
“The security of a country’s energy supply must never be an ideological issue,” he stated on X, expressing hope that Croatia would not follow Ukraine’s example in endangering their supplies.
The Adria pipeline, operated by Croatia’s state-owned Janaf, has the capacity to handle the required volumes – around 1.2 million tonnes annually for Hungary alone – and offers lower transit fees than Druzhba.
Yet, Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar swiftly rebuffed the request for Russian-sourced crude, citing strict adherence to EU law and U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations.
Šušnjar clarified that Zagreb would not jeopardize Central Europe’s fuel security but is prepared to assist with non-Russian oil transit.
“It’s time to stop this war profiteering,” he remarked, highlighting the pipeline’s readiness for alternative supplies.
This stance aligns with broader EU efforts to phase out Russian energy imports, which began with a 2022 ban on seaborne Russian oil, though exemptions were made for pipeline-dependent states like Hungary and Slovakia to allow time for transition.
Critics argue that these countries have deepened their reliance instead, with Hungary’s MOL even releasing strategic reserves to mitigate the current shortfall.
The refusal has sparked outrage in Budapest and Bratislava. Szijjártó accused Croatia of politicizing energy, while Slovak officials echoed concerns over potential fuel shortages.
Analysts point out that the Adria pipeline could fully cover needs with non-Russian oil, potentially at lower costs, but political ties to Moscow – particularly under Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – have delayed diversification.
Orbán’s government has been criticized for using cheap Russian energy to subsidize domestic prices and enrich foundations linked to his allies.
Broader implications are stark. The EU’s latest sanctions package, its 19th, includes a 2026 ban on Russian LNG, ramping up pressure on holdouts.
For Hungary and Slovakia, this could mean higher energy costs and economic strain, but also an opportunity to align with EU goals. Croatia’s position reinforces the bloc’s unity against Russian influence, signalling that exemptions are not indefinite.
In the meantime, Hungary has turned to U.S. diplomacy, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio visiting to discuss alternatives, though details remain sparse.
Caption: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (L) speaks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (R) during the Informal EU leaders’ retreat at Alden Biesen Castle in Bilzen, Belgium, 12 February 2026. The strategic session focuses on deepening the Single Market, boosting investment, and enhancing Europe’s competitiveness in a shifting geoeconomic landscape. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
Updated: February 17, 2026 - 09:59
