Croatia has declined to allow the transportation of Russian oil through the Adriatic pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia, in a move underscoring its opposition to Moscow’s energy exports.
Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar said that purchasing oil from Russia effectively supports the war against Ukraine, stressing that Zagreb would not facilitate such transactions.
The Adriatic pipeline has been viewed as a potential alternative route for landlocked countries seeking access to crude supplies. However, Croatia’s position reflects the broader European effort to reduce reliance on Russian energy and tighten enforcement of sanctions imposed following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Hungary and Slovakia, both heavily dependent on Russian crude in recent years, have sought exemptions and alternative supply arrangements as the European Union works to diversify energy sources.
The decision is likely to add further strain to regional energy negotiations, as countries balance security concerns, economic needs, and political commitments amid the ongoing conflict.
On Monday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijarto wrote on X that Budapest and Slovakia had asked Croatia to Russian allow oil flow via the Adria pipeline instead.
“We request Croatia to enable the transport of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Adria pipeline, as our sanctions exemption provides the possibility to import Russian oil by sea if pipeline deliveries are disrupted,” Szijarto wrote on X.
The security of a country’s energy supply must never be an ideological issue. We therefore expect Croatia, unlike Ukraine, not to endanger the oil supply security of Hungary and Slovakia for political reasons.”
Croatian Economy Minister Ante Susnjar said, “Croatia will not allow Central Europe’s fuel supply to be endangered. We are ready to help solve the acute disruption.”
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