Hungary Seeks Russian Oil via Croatian Route Amid Disruption

Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's foreign minister, during a Bloomberg Television interview in London, UK, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. "We are on very good terms with the Trump administration," Szijjarto said, adding that the discussed bilateral framework has "economic elements." Photographer: Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg Photo by Jose Sarmento Matos /BloombergArticle content(Bloomberg) — Hungary and Slovakia requested that Croatia allow the shipment of Russian crude via the Adriatic pipeline while a key route through Ukraine remains blocked, Hungary’s foreign minister said.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentMinister Peter Szijjarto and Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova jointly wrote to the Croatian government in Zagreb with the request, Szijjarto said in a statement late Sunday.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentOil transit along the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine has been halted since late last month amid large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with the governments in Budapest and Kyiv in a standoff over the fallout. Budapest relies on the Druzhba pipeline connecting Hungary with Russia through war-torn Ukraine for most of its oil flows.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has remained committed to buying Russian energy sources for his landlocked country, has also frequently engaged in debate with neighboring Croatia over the capacity of the Adriatic pipeline. Article contentCroatia is ready to help deal with the disruption in flows as far as European Union law and US sanctions permit, Economy Minister Ante Susnjar said in a post on X Monday.Article content“No one should be left without fuel,” Susnjar said.Article contentEnergy policy also feature in Orban’s talks in Budapest with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, where Szijjarto said the two countries are planning to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement.Article contentOrban has found an ally in Slovak counterpart Robert Fico, who on Sunday echoed his views that Ukraine was using the Druzhba pipeline for political leverage, which officials in Kyiv have denied.Article content—With assistance from Daniel Hornak and Jasmina Kuzmanovic.Article content(Updates with Croatian response in fifth paragraph, Hungary-US talks in seventh)Article contentTrending Subscriber only. 'We need to wake up': Atlantic Canada a microcosm of the problems facing the rest of the country Subscriber only Economy Canadians Say They'll Buy Cheaper Chinese EVs as Tariffs Drop PMN Business Subscriber only. Donald Trump plans to roll back tariffs on steel and aluminium goods Subscriber only Financial Times Avoid these TFSA and RRSP mistakes to keep the CRA off your back Personal Finance 'Escape hatches are gone': Power of sale listings surge in Toronto Real Estate Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Subscriber only. 'We need to wake up': Atlantic Canada a microcosm of the problems facing the rest of the country Subscriber only Economy Canadians Say They'll Buy Cheaper Chinese EVs as Tariffs Drop PMN Business Subscriber only. Donald Trump plans to roll back tariffs on steel and aluminium goods Subscriber only Financial Times Avoid these TFSA and RRSP mistakes to keep the CRA off your back Personal Finance 'Escape hatches are gone': Power of sale listings surge in Toronto Real Estate