Hungary and Croatia secure crude oil transit agreement for 2026

Hungarian energy giant MOL and Croatian pipeline operator Janaf have reached a deal to transport 2.05 million tonnes of crude oil through Janaf's pipeline system in 2026, according to Janaf's statement on August 6. Deliveries will operate on a take-or-pay basis, with implementation starting on January 1, 2026.

In early 2026, tensions arose between MOL and Janaf following a Russian airstrike that severely damaged the Druzhba oil pipeline on January 27. This attack halted Russian crude deliveries to Hungary, compelling Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková to request Croatia's support for Russian oil transit via the Adria pipeline on February 15.

Hungarian officials accused Kyiv of refusing to resume oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline for political reasons and insisted on continuing the transit of Russian oil due to Hungary's EU sanctions exemption. However, Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar firmly refused, emphasizing his country's support for Ukraine and the environmental impact of Russian oil. The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs then appealed to the European Commission for pressure on Croatia.

Repairs to the Druzhba pipeline were completed by April 22, enabling the resumption of Russian crude transit to Hungary and Slovakia. The Adria pipeline, spanning 600 kilometers and with an annual capacity of 34 million tons, connects Croatia's Adriatic port of Omišalj to refineries across southeastern and central Europe.