According to information from Moscow, the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary has been interrupted. Russian pipeline monopolist Transneft has blamed Ukraine for the delivery stop.
payment problems
According to a Transneft spokesperson, the termination of transit is related to payment issues: Ukraine is demanding advance payment for transit, but payments made by Transneft have been rejected because of new European sanctions.
“In fact, (Ukrainian company) Ukrtransnafta completely stopped pumping oil to Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia through the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline on August 4 at 6:10 am,” Transneft said, according to Russian state news agency. Ria Novosti known Tuesday.
broad exception
Initially, there was no confirmation from the Ukrainian side. On the other hand, deliveries continue along the northern Druzhba route, which passes through Belarus and Poland to Germany.
In April, EU countries agreed to a gradual oil embargo against Russia. However, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with reference to their heavy dependence on Russian supplies, promoted a broad exemption of supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.