Hungary, Slovakia Sign Deal for New Oil Pipeline Amid Russian Supply Dispute

Hungary and Slovakia have reached an agreement to construct a 79-mile pipeline connecting their refineries to improve fuel supply security. The project comes as both nations face disrupted Russian oil deliveries through Ukraine due to damaged infrastructure from drone attacks.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Two Eastern European nations have reached a new agreement to construct an oil products pipeline in an effort to strengthen regional fuel security, Slovakia’s Energy Ministry announced Tuesday.

The proposed 79-mile pipeline will connect Hungary’s Százhalombatta refinery with Slovakia’s Bratislava refinery, creating capacity to move 1.5 million tons of gasoline and diesel annually, according to ministry officials.

Construction linking the two facilities, both operated by Hungary’s Mol Group, is scheduled for completion during the first half of 2027, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced Monday from Brussels, where officials signed the deal.

The fuel connection would “add further value from the perspective of Hungary’s energy supply and diesel supply, while helping to counter the effects of wars around the world,” Szijjártó stated.

The partnership emerges amid ongoing tensions between the two EU nations and Ukraine regarding oil pipeline access. Hungary and Slovakia remain the only European Union members still receiving Russian crude oil imports.

Deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline system have been halted since late January following what Ukraine describes as Russian drone damage to critical infrastructure. Ukrainian officials report that repair work poses safety risks to maintenance crews.

Ukrainian authorities warn that even if repairs are completed, the pipeline infrastructure remains at risk for additional Russian military strikes.

Both Hungarian and Slovak leadership have criticized Ukraine for allegedly blocking Russian crude shipments intentionally, promising strong responses until deliveries restart. Hungary has already prevented a 90-billion euro ($104 billion) EU loan package to Ukraine over the supply interruptions.

Slovakia’s Energy Ministry stated that the supply disruptions have “highlighted the vulnerability of energy infrastructure and the need to diversify supply routes and sources.”

“The new pipeline should therefore improve supply flexibility and enable more efficient fuel transfers between refineries in both countries,” the ministry explained.