Russian oil flow via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia reached a "normal" level of 165,000 barrels per day in May 2026, reports Reuters. This marks the first full month of operation after supplies resumed on April 23, though volumes are still below previous levels of 200-235,000 bpd due to import diversification.
Kazakhstan "did not transport large volumes" of oil through the Druzhba pipeline, Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sungat Yesimkhanov noted
Residents of Schwedt, eastern Germany, fear economic collapse if the PCK refinery loses oil supplies after Russia announced it will halt Kazakh oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline from May 1. The refinery supplies 90% of Berlin's fuel and relies on Kazakh oil since Germany banned Russian imports in 2023. Rerouting via sea ports would cut capacity to 65-70%, potentially forcing staff cuts.
The termination of Kazakh oil supplies to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline could lead to dire consequences for Berlin and Kiev, Politico reported
The pipeline recovery is "a miracle of miracles," the news outlet said
Oil supplies over the Druzhba oil pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia resumed after the almost three-month interval, the company said
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier that Kazakh oil supplies to Germany would bypass the Druzhba pipeline starting May 1 due to technical limitations
Oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia resumed on April 23 after a three-month halt that began January 27. Ukraine had claimed military damage to pipeline infrastructure, blocking transit to Hungary and Slovakia despite completed repairs. Hungary blocked a €90B EU loan to Ukraine until supplies resumed, with 13,500 tons delivered Thursday. Slovak PM Fico noted the resumption confirms the pipeline was used as a geopolitical tool, while Russian officials emphasized the pipeline's importance for European energy security.
Hungary and Slovakia lifted their vetoes after oil flows resumed through the Druzhba pipeline.
Oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary has resumed after a three-month shutdown. The suspension, attributed by Ukraine to infrastructure damage, was widely viewed as a political standoff over EU financial aid to Kiev.
The Slovak prime minister recalled that Russian oil supplied via the Druzhba pipeline is primarily destined for the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava
Oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline have resumed after nearly three months of disruption caused by a Russian strike in January, clearing the final hurdle for the EU's €90 billion loan to Ukraine. Slovakia confirmed crude intake resumed at 2:00 a.m. Thursday, meeting Hungary's condition for lifting its veto. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had blocked the loan—backed by profits from frozen Russian assets—demanding oil flows be restored first. If ministers approve this week, Kyiv could receive the funds as early as May.
Slovakia has resumed receiving crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline after Ukraine restarted pumping operations following a bilateral agreement.
Oil has resumed flowing through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia after a three-month shutdown. Oil began arriving in the country on Thursday after 2:00 a.m. local time. Ukrainian authorities halted oil pumping to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline on January 27. The Slovak government declared an energy crisis, and Prime Minister Robert Fico said the country would block new EU sanctions against Russia until the pipeline was restored.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said it should be utilized in full when relations are normal
Hungarian company MOL received official notification from the Ukrainian operator of the Druzhba oil pipeline regarding its readiness to resume oil transit from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia
Russian oil may reach Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline as early as April 22, Hungarian Minister for European Union Affairs Janos Boka said. Hungary has not received Russian oil since January 27 due to Ukraine's blocking of the pipeline. The minister emphasized the strategic importance of normal pipeline operations, particularly given the Middle East crisis that has driven up energy prices and reduced supply reliability.
Rosneft Deutschland has notified the German Federal Network Agency that transit of Kazakh oil via the Druzhba pipeline to the PCK refinery in Schwedt will cease starting May 1, 2026, citing instructions from the Russian Energy Ministry. Russia cited lack of technical capability to transport the oil. Kazakhstan is redirecting crude flows to other destinations including the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. Germany expects no threat to oil product supply security despite potential production reductions at the Schwedt refinery. In 2025, Kazakhstan delivered 2.1 million tons of oil to Germany via this route.
Ukraine has resumed Russian oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline after a three-month halt. The resumption follows political tensions and precedes the EU's expected approval of a €90 billion emergency loan for Ukraine.
Ukraine has resumed pumping Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline into Hungary and Slovakia, ending a months-long deadlock over a €90bn EU loan for Kyiv. The oil transit resumed on Wednesday after repairs to damage caused by a Russian attack in late January. EU ambassadors meeting in Cyprus gave preliminary approval to the loan and a 20th sanctions package on Russia. Hungary's Viktor Orbán, who lost his 16-year grip on power in Sunday's election, had demanded the oil flow resume before lifting his veto on the loan.
MOL received official notification from Ukraine's JSC Ukrtransnafta that repairs on the Druzhba pipeline are complete and oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia will resume. The force majeure that had been in effect since January 27, 2026 was lifted as of 6pm on April 21, 2026. Hungary had blocked a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine in response to the transit halt, claiming repairs were completed but Ukraine was blocking supplies for political reasons.
Kazakhstan will resume oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline as soon as it is technically feasible, Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov said. The suspension information only concerns May, and Kazakhstan is reallocating oil supplies to other destinations including the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and China. The country does not plan to cut production.
According to Vladimir Zelensky, the oil pipeline may now resume functioning
Ukrainian president said oil will once again flow to Hungary, resolving a months-long dispute.
