Hungary Seeks to Cut Reliance on Russian Oil, Says Energy Minister

Hungary intends to reduce its dependence on Russian oil, Hungarian Minister of Economy and Energy Istvan Kapitany said, according to a report by Russian state news agency TASS.

"To this end, negotiations are underway with the Croatian side to fully use the Adria oil pipeline," Kapitany said, as quoted by TASS.

The Adria pipeline links Croatia's Adriatic coast to inland refineries in Central Europe and has historically been used to transport non-Russian crude oil to the region. Expanding its use would allow Hungary to diversify its sources of crude away from Russian supplies, which currently form a significant part of the country's oil imports.

TASS did not provide further details on the timeline or scope of the negotiations with Croatia, nor did it specify the current volume of Russian oil imports into Hungary that the government aims to offset through the pipeline arrangement.

Hungary has previously maintained close energy ties with Russia, including continued imports of Russian oil and gas even as other European Union member states sought alternatives following the start of the war in Ukraine. The latest statement from Kapitany suggests a shift toward diversification, though it remains unclear how quickly or extensively this shift will unfold.

Further details on the negotiations, including any agreements reached with Croatian authorities, have not been made public.