ČRo Plus | The Druzhba oil pipeline incident and the energy situation in Slovakia and Hungary

Ensuring energy security is primarily the responsibility of national governments, in this case Slovakia and Hungary. The situation is further complicated by the fact that these are energy resources that are traded on a commercial basis. The European Commission cannot do much about this decision. However, it can exert political pressure on Kyiv. Nevertheless, it is important to view the situation in a broader context. Three and a half years after the start of the Russian invasion, it is clear to everyone in Europe that the Druzhba pipeline cannot be considered a stable and reliable source.

Ukraine is quite legitimately attacking energy infrastructure, routinely targeting Russian oil storage facilities. It is important to realize that oil flows westward through the Druzhba pipeline, but eastward it is a money pipeline that helps the Kremlin finance the war in a significant way. The European Commission has repeatedly offered assistance to Slovakia and Hungary in the past, but there must be a willingness on the part of Slovakia and Hungary to do something about the situation.

Listen to the whole interview here.