JANAF to MOL: We are acting in accordance with European and American sanctions against Russia

The Adriatic Pipeline (JANAF) announced on Friday, regarding the ultimatum sent to it by the Hungarian MOL oil company the day before, that "talks between partners and allies are being conducted decently, with arguments and based on facts" and that the company is operating in full compliance with the current sanctions regimes of the European Union and the United States of America.

Regarding the ultimatums sent to JANAF, we consider it important to announce that talks between partners and allies are being conducted decently, with arguments and based on facts. "JANAF operates responsibly and in full compliance with the applicable sanctions regimes of the European Union and the United States," they said in their statement on Friday.

They added that the security of supply of Hungary and Slovakia is not at risk, because the transport route via JANAF exists, is already being used and has sufficient capacity to cover their oil needs. This, as they point out, is confirmed by Hungary itself, which is now requesting full transport via JANAF, although until recently it unfoundedly claimed that such capacity did not exist.

They also report that last week and this week they have already transported significant quantities of oil that is not covered by the sanctions restrictions for the Hungarian MOL, and by the beginning of April a total of seven more tankers are due to arrive for the same user of their oil pipeline system.

“The Croatian energy infrastructure is ready, reliable and available for supply that is in line with EU and OFAC rules. This is also confirmed by the example of the supply of the NIS Company from the Republic of Serbia, where partners jointly meet strict sanction criteria in order to ensure the necessary extensions and continuity of supply within the applicable rules. In this this context, we expect that decisions on procurement and transport to Hungary and Slovakia will be made on the basis of legality and compliance with sanctions, and not under pressure or ultimatums. If there are requests related to oil of Russian origin or entities associated with Russia, they can be considered exclusively through the strict framework of EU and OFAC sanctions criteria, with full legal verification, clear accountability and maximum transparency,” JANAF points out.

In conclusion, they add that Croatia does not refuse supply or politicize energy, and that both Croatia and JANAF enable supply in accordance with regulations, consistently applying EU and US sanctions.

EC: Croatia to decide whether to let Russian oil through JANAF

“Member states are responsible for implementing sanctions and therefore it is up to Croatia to decide whether to let Russian oil through the Adriatic pipeline,” Commission spokeswoman Anna Kaisa Itkonen said on Friday.

The MOL Group called on JANAF on Thursday to immediately provide it with a guarantee that it will let through unsanctioned shipments of Russian crude oil arriving by sea, and by Friday at the latest, or JANAF will bear legal and financial liability for any financial damage caused by the delay in receiving the transport confirmation.

“According to EU and US sanctions, the Croatian pipeline operator must do so. MOL expects a direct response from the Croatian company by February 27, 2026 at the latest. In case of refusal, MOL can contact the European Commission and file a claim for damages,” the Hungarian oil and gas company said. Itkonen said she had no comment on the communication between the individual companies.

Šuica: Energy security exists, oil can be obtained from non-Russian sources

The current situation was also addressed by the European Commission Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, who said that the European Commission is concerned about energy security.

“I don't know what they say, I can't comment on that. I only know that we, as the European Commission, are concerned about energy security and it currently exists. And there are enough channels and routes through which oil can be obtained, which is non-Russian,” she said.

Možemo Party: Croatia must not give in to the ultimatum

Damir Bakić, a member of the Parliament from the Možemo Party, said that Croatia must not give in to pressure.

“We certainly must not give in to the ultimatum from the Hungarian or Slovak side. I think that yesterday's statement by Minister Šušnjar is completely in line with the position and actions of the European Commission's policy. That is the way it is and the way it should be,” Bakić emphasized.

Miletić: We do not trust MOL at all

Marin Miletić from the MOST Party MPs' Club was explicit.

“We do not trust MOL at all. Croatia is a sovereign and democratic state, we have our own legislation and our own national interests that need to be protected, and Hungary is playing with fire all the time and dancing on some edge, flirting with the Russians and seeking its own geostrategic political positions,” said Miletić.

The outcome of the situation is expected after the deadline set by MOL for JANAF expires, while the Government reiterates that it will make decisions taking into account sovereignty and obligations within the European Union.

Source: HRT