Overview

• Bloomberg reports the European Commission is assessing options that could curb Russian crude delivered via the Druzhba line to Hungary and Slovakia unless those imports are phased out.
• The Commission confirms the proposed 19th EU sanctions package does not touch Druzhba flows and instead targets Rosneft, Gazpromneft, LNG contracts, and over 100 tankers in Russia’s shadow fleet.
• Unlike sanctions that require unanimity, potential trade measures such as tariffs could be adopted by a majority of EU states if Budapest and Bratislava do not present exit plans.
• Hungary and Slovakia remain dependent on Druzhba supplies, with Hungary’s MOL importing about 5 million tonnes annually, and both governments have pushed back on tougher curbs.
• Recent Ukrainian strikes in August temporarily disrupted Druzhba operations, and a planned Hungary‑Serbia pipeline extension to route Russian oil to Serbia has drawn scrutiny as the U.S. and G7 press Europe to further cut Russian energy revenues.