European Commission: Croatia must decide on Russian oil transit to Hungary

The European Commission said Friday that it is up to Croatia to decide whether to allow the transport of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia through the JANAF pipeline.

Responding to what Hungarian officials described as an ultimatum to Zagreb, the Commission stressed that enforcing and implementing EU sanctions is the responsibility of individual member states.

Hungary and Slovakia were previously granted exemptions from EU sanctions on Russian oil because they are landlocked and had relied on crude supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. That pipeline has been offline since late January, after Ukraine said it was damaged in a Russian airstrike.

 “We are not requiring any notification, in this case, from Croatia,” European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said, adding that Brussels remains in close contact with Zagreb to “establish the full picture.”

On Thursday, Hungary’s oil company MOL threatened legal action against Croatia’s pipeline operator JANAF if it does not immediately guarantee access for unsanctioned Russian oil shipments delivered by sea to Hungary.

Croatia’s Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar said Zagreb “wouldn’t act on anyone’s pressure” but would respect international law.

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica also weighed in, saying the Commission’s priority is ensuring energy security.

“There are enough pathways that can transport and deliver oil that is not Russian,” Šuica said.

Croatian lawmakers strongly rejected pressure from Budapest and Bratislava.

Most party MP Marin Miletić said Croatia must protect its national interests and accused Hungary of “flirting with Russia.”

Damir Bakić of the Možemo! party said Croatia “cannot give in to ultimatums and threats” and that the government’s position aligns with European Commission policy.

Meanwhile, Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of falsely claiming the Druzhba pipeline was damaged. Both governments are demanding an independent inspection.

Ukrainian officials maintain the pipeline was hit in a Russian airstrike and has been out of operation since late January.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of lying about the damage and called for a joint fact-finding effort.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Bratislava would propose forming a joint task force — including European Commission representatives — to inspect the pipeline and verify whether oil transit can resume.

Both leaders argue their countries have a right to receive Russian oil under their EU exemptions and have accused Brussels of favoring Ukraine over member states.