The Druzhba oil pipeline is being refilled again; oil is expected to arrive in Slovakia on Thursday
Following the completion of repairs on the Ukrainian section, the Druzhba oil pipeline has resumed operations and is being refilled. Russian oil is expected to arrive in Slovakia on Thursday morning.
Aktuality reported this on Wednesday, citing the Slovak Ministry of Economy.
Pumping and supply to Slovakia are expected to resume on Thursday (April 23) morning, confirmed Economy Minister Denisa Saková.
The Slovak Ministry of Economy reported that the state-owned joint-stock company Transpetrol received information from its Ukrainian partner regarding the resumption of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. The Ukrainian side provided a schedule for oil pumping for April.
At the same time, SME notes that the Slovnaft refinery has recently switched almost entirely to non-Russian oil, which it imports via the Adria pipeline from the Croatian port of Omisalj, so it does not urgently need Russian oil.
The media also highlighted remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that no one can guarantee the pipeline will not be damaged again by Russian attacks.
MOL, the parent company of the Slovnaft refinery, has already submitted requests for the first shipments, which will be distributed equally between Hungary and Slovakia.
Earlier, European Council President António Costa publicly thanked Volodymyr Zelenskyy for restoring the section of the Druzhba pipeline. Ukraine announced the completion of repair work following damage to the infrastructure caused by a Russian strike. The EU described this as the fulfillment of agreements.
The European Commission expects that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will soon officially announce the resumption of oil transit through Ukraine via the Druzhba pipeline.
Ukrtransnafta has completed repairs on the Druzhba pipeline and is ready to resume oil transit.
