According to information from Moscow, the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary has been stopped. The Russian pipeline monopolist Transneft blamed Ukraine for the delivery stop. According to a Transneft spokesman, the end of the transit is related to payment problems: Ukraine is demanding payment in advance for the transit, but payments made by Transneft have been rejected because of new European sanctions.
Transneft: Total stop
“In fact, (the Ukrainian company) Ukrtransnafta completely stopped pumping oil to Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia via the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline on August 4 at 6:10 a.m.,” Transneft said, according to Russia’s state news agency Ria Novosti known Tuesday. There was initially no confirmation from the Ukrainian side. On the other hand, deliveries continue via the northern route of the Druzhba, which leads through Belarus and Poland to Germany.
In April, the EU countries agreed on a gradual oil embargo against Russia. However, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with reference to their heavy dependence on Russian supplies, pushed through an extensive exemption from supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. (apa, afp)