EU says no short-term oil supply risk for Hungary and Slovakia

The European Commission said Hungary and Slovakia face no short-term risk to oil supplies because both hold 90 days of emergency stocks, and Brussels is in contact with Ukraine about repairing the Druzhba pipeline.

The European Commission has said there is no short-term risk to oil supplies in Hungary or Slovakia because both countries hold required emergency reserves. The statement follows a disruption of Russian oil flows via Ukraine that began on Jan. 27, which Kyiv attributed to a Russian attack on a pipeline and Hungary said was caused by Ukraine switching off power to the pipeline section. Hungary and Slovakia are discussing alternative routes for oil, including use of Croatia's Adria pipeline, while Brussels is in contact with Ukraine about a repair timeline. What is known: - The Commission said both Hungary and Slovakia hold 90 days' worth of emergency oil stocks as required under EU law. - Slovakia's government said its domestic fuel supply was not under threat. - Kyiv's foreign ministry said a Russian attack on a pipeline caused the halt to Russian oil flows to Eastern Europe; Hungary has accused Ukraine of cutting power to the Druzhba pipeline section. - Hungary has requested an emergency exemption in EU sanctions to import Russian oil via Croatia's Adria pipeline and has asked Croatia to facilitate this. - Croatia's economy minister said the Adria pipeline could import more oil but suggested that additional supplies should not come from Russia. Summary: Short-term supply risks are reported as limited because member states hold mandated emergency stocks and national authorities say domestic supplies are stable. Brussels is in contact with Ukraine about the timeline for repairing the Druzhba pipeline, and Hungary and Slovakia are discussing possible alternative imports via the Adria route.