Story perspectives

EU Allies Seek Alternative Russian Crude Route Amid Disruptions

2/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Hungary and Slovakia asked Croatia to transit Russian crude via Adria after Druzhba halted.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said EU sanctions exemption permits maritime imports if pipeline deliveries are disrupted.
Croatia's Ante Šušnjar said Croatia would assist if actions comply with EU and U.S. regulations.
Ukraine says the disruption came from Russian attacks on its infrastructure.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Viktor Orbán to discuss energy policy.

History

Historical Context

The 2022 disruption of the Druzhba pipeline underscored Europe's energy vulnerabilities amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, where Russia supplied 45% of the EU's gas imports. In response, Hungary and Slovakia sought to transit Russian crude through Croatia, reflecting the EU's complex energy dependencies and prompting discussions on energy independence and diversification strategies to mitigate reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

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Story summary

Hungary and Slovakia asked Croatia to transit Russian crude via Adria after Druzhba halted.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said EU sanctions exemption permits maritime imports if pipeline deliveries are disrupted.
Croatia's Ante Šušnjar said Croatia would assist if actions comply with EU and U.S. regulations.
Ukraine says the disruption came from Russian attacks on its infrastructure.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Viktor Orbán to discuss energy policy.

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