Oil supplies via Druzhba oil pipeline to Hungary, Slovakia may resume on Aug 27 or 28 - MOL

BRUSSELS. Aug 27 (Interfax) - Oil supplies from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba oil pipeline, which were suspended earlier due to Ukrainian strikes, may resume on August 27 or 28, Western media reported, citing Hungary's MOL CEO Zsolt Hernadi.

He said that, nevertheless, the pipeline probably will not operate at full capacity. MOL can still supply oil to refineries from operational reserves, but it may have to resort to strategic reserves in the end, he said.

Hernadi said that if oil does not start flowing via the Druzhba pipeline by September 1, Slovakia will have to make use of its strategic reserves and stop exporting petroleum products that will result in a 20% reduction in Hungary's fuel imports, and Ukraine will also be affected.

He said he was unsure that in the event of a complete cessation of oil supply through Druzhba, MOL would be able to fully supply its enterprises with oil from alternative sources.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said last Friday that the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the Druzhba oil pipeline "for the third time in a brief period." The previous day, Szijjarto called such actions by Kiev an attack on Hungary and Slovakia.

"Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky made it clear long ago that until Hungary takes a pro-Ukrainian stance, as Brussels and the European People's Party in the Council of Europe, strikes on the oil pipeline that is important to Hungary's energy security will go on," Szijjarto said.

The RTRS television channel reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had previously said that Zelensky's threats would have long-term consequences.