Alleged involvement of the European Commission in negotiations regarding oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline

Subject: Alleged involvement of the European Commission in negotiations regarding oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline

The southern leg of the Druzhba pipeline plays an essential role in the security of oil supply of Central Europe. We therefore note with utmost concern the recent reports that Mr Volodimir Tsependa, CEO of Ukraine’s UkrTransNafta, claimed in a letter to Hungarian energy company Mol that officials from the European Commission suggested shutting down oil deliveries to Hungary. It must be underlined that such blackmail is unacceptable and would constitute a grave threat against the sovereignty of Hungary.

In light of the above, and given the Commission’s rights and obligations under the EU Treaties, we ask:

1. Has any official from the Commission formally or informally indicated that Ukraine should halt oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline?

2. Has the Commission ever suggested that non-EU countries restrict energy supplies to any EU Member State?

3. Does the Commission condemn the use of security of energy supply for the purpose of blackmail in all circumstances?

Submitted: 19.5.2023

Answer given by Ms Simson on behalf of the European Commission

(30 June 2023)

The Commission is aware of such allegations in several Hungarian press articles and strongly denies them.

The security of energy supply of the EU and its Member States, including Hungary, is a key priority for the Commission, especially in the context of the energy crisis spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The REPowerEU Plan (1) proposed by the Commission on 18 May 2022 takes into account the diverse situation of Member States. It identified in particular the need for infrastructure investments in support of security of oil supply in Hungary.

Furthermore, the EU sanctions banning import of Russian oil (2) include an exemption for the Druzhba pipeline.

The Commission stance on the weaponisation of energy exports or on the use of energy for the purposes of blackmailing is well- known. Any such weaponisation or blackmail is deemed unacceptable.

1 ∙ ⸱ https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_3131

2 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02014R0833-20230427 , see Article 3m paragraph 3 (d).