Croatia’s position on the transit of Russian oil has gained prominence as tensions rise in Central Europe. Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar recently reaffirmed the role of the state-owned pipeline operator JANAF, which he described as a stable and reliable transit partner. The minister highlighted that JANAF offers competitive tariffs and logistical benefits due to its more direct route compared to alternatives like the Druzhba pipeline. Despite this, he acknowledged that while transportation costs through Croatia are lower, the price of Russian crude oil remains more attractive than other supplies from within the European Union.
In light of these developments, Minister Šušnjar urged EU member states, particularly Hungary and Slovakia, to reconsider their dependence on Russian fossil fuels. He argued that reducing reliance on such resources would signal solidarity with Ukraine and support broader European efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts. Addressing Hungary’s requests for oil deliveries via JANAF, Šušnjar emphasized Croatia’s commitment to sovereign decision-making, asserting that while Croatia respects its obligations under international law and EU frameworks, there is no legal compulsion for the country to facilitate Russian oil transit.
The situation has escalated as Hungary has pressed for access to Russian oil supplies under what it claims are EU regulations. However, the Croatian government has firmly rejected these requests, stating it will not authorize any deliveries to Hungary or Slovakia. This refusal underscores Croatia’s adherence to existing EU and US sanctions regimes against Russia.
The backdrop of these tensions includes Hungary’s recent actions led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who responded to disruptions in the Druzhba route by halting diesel and electricity exports to Ukraine. This standoff illustrates the deepening divisions within Central Europe regarding energy policy and raises questions about the future dynamics of Russian energy supplies in the region.
