An official source in the Kazakh Ministry of Energy, responding to a question from the ‘Sputnik’ agency regarding the discussions about suspending oil supplies to Slovakia via this line, stated: ‘According to available information, the transportation of Kazakh oil (through the specified pipeline – Druzhba) is currently proceeding normally without any restrictions on receiving oil from carriers.’ Earlier, Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova announced a new attack on the Druzhba oil pipeline, stating that the oil pumping is expected to stop soon on this line. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar declared that the threat to the country’s energy security is unacceptable.
According to the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ attack on the Druzhba line will significantly impact oil supplies to Slovakia. In this context, Slovakia and Hungary have filed a complaint with the European Commission regarding the disruption of oil supplies via Druzhba due to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Druzhba oil pipeline. The two countries demanded guarantees for supply security.
The Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the letter, signed by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto, addressed to European Commissioner Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner Dan Jorgensen. Pumping through the northern route to Poland and Germany stopped in 2023, while the southern route through Ukraine continues to operate partially, reaching Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
Unlike most other European Union countries, Slovakia and its neighbor Hungary have maintained their reliance on Russian energy, obtaining most of their crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline. The Druzhba pipeline is considered the largest main artery for transporting Russian and Kazakh oil across Europe.
