Ukrtransnafta clarifies info on Russian oil transit to Hungary through Ukraine

In response to the Espreso TV information request regarding oil supplies from MOL through the Druzhba pipeline, Ukrtransnafta stated that it transports oil through the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline to Central and Eastern Europe, following existing contracts and applicable laws. The letter, signed by acting CEO Vladislav Voitenko, also noted that MOL announced on September 9, 2024, that it is the sole owner of a significant amount of oil near the Ukraine-Belarus border.

Ukrtransnafta, an operator of the Ukrainian main oil pipeline system, has stated that it has no contracts for crude oil transit with Russian companies like Lukoil, Gazpromneft, Tatneft, and Rosneft. However, they haven’t specified which company they do have a transit contract with.

The company explained that they have a contract with one company that acts as an agent for other oil owners. They emphasized that they don’t have any agreements with the Russian firms mentioned.

In terms of oil volume, Ukrtransnafta reported transporting 12.3 million tons in 2020 and 12.0 million tons in 2021. Since the full-scale invasion, transit volumes through Ukraine have remained stable.

They noted that oil transportation to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary from 2022 to 2024 is similar to previous years. Additionally, they assured that oil transport through Ukraine is conducted in line with Ukrainian interests and laws.

Termination of Russian Lukoil oil transit through Ukraine

Oil from the Russian company Lukoil has stopped coming to Slovakia and Hungary because of Ukraine's sanctions. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Ukraine's decision was “incomprehensible and unacceptable.”

On Saturday, July 20, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, criticizing the addition of the Russian oil company Lukoil, whose oil was also used by the Slovak oil refinery Slovnafta, to the sanctions list.

On July 22, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Ukraine's decision to stop the transit of oil from the Russian company Lukoil threatens the security of energy supplies to his country and Slovakia, so Hungary may initiate a legal action.

On July 23, Hungary and Slovakia initiated a European Commission committee meeting due to Ukraine's ban on Lukoil's oil transit.

On the same day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that his country would continue to block €6.5 billion in EU military aid to Ukraine if Kyiv did not resume the transit of Russian Lukoil oil through its territory.

On July 24, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini announced that Bratislava may take “indefinite reciprocal measures” in response to Ukraine stopping the transit of Lukoil's Russian oil through its territory.

On July 30, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced that Ukraine is ready to hold consultations with the EU regarding the suspension of Lukoil's oil transit.