Tensions have intensified between Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia following the suspension of crude oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline. What initially appeared to be a technical disruption has evolved into a broader political dispute over sanctions, regional energy security and the strategic use of infrastructure.
The immediate trigger was damage to the Druzhba pipeline on Ukrainian territory after a Russian drone strike in late January, halting deliveries of Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia. The Soviet-era pipeline remains a key supply route for Central and Eastern Europe. Ukrainian authorities reported the attack, while local officials in Brody warned of environmental risks linked to burning oil derivatives. Kyiv stressed that the transit interruption was a direct consequence of the strike on energy infrastructure.
Instead of shifting toward non-Russian alternatives, Hungary and Slovakia sought to reroute the same Urals crude via the JANAF pipeline in Croatia. Both governments argued that existing EU exemptions allow maritime imports of Russian oil if pipeline deliveries are disrupted, presenting the move as an energy security necessity rather than a political decision. Hungarian officials also accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying the restart of Druzhba transit, redirecting responsibility for the supply crisis. In parallel, Hungary suspended diesel exports to Ukraine while the pipeline remains offline, and Slovakia signaled it could consider similar steps.
Croatia has taken a firm position. Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar stated that JANAF has sufficient technical capacity, but emphasized that any assistance would strictly comply with EU legislation and US sanctions rules. Zagreb’s stance is that it is prepared to help prevent regional fuel shortages, but not by enabling continued deliveries of Russian crude.
In previous years, Hungary and Slovakia criticized JANAF as too expensive and unreliable when the European Commission proposed it as an alternative supply route. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković recently rejected those claims, asserting that Croatia can transport more than 12 million tons of oil annually through JANAF — enough to meet the needs of refineries in Hungary and Slovakia.
