Richard Parks Oil deliveries from Russia to the Czech Republic via the Druzhba pipeline were interrupted on Wednesday, officials confirmed. The cause of the disruption is still unknown.
Czech Industry and Trade Minister Lukas Vlcek reassured the public that the country is prepared for such incidents. “We have a robust system of state reserves,” he stated. Mero, the pipeline operator, emphasized that oil supplies remain stable, with 90 days of reserves available. Additionally, the TAL and IKL pipelines, which transport oil from Trieste, continue to operate as normal.
EU Exemption Ends Amid Transition to Diversified Supplies
This incident comes just before the Czech Republic’s EU exemption for importing Russian pipeline oil expires on Thursday. The exemption, granted in 2022 alongside Hungary and Slovakia, allowed the countries time to reduce their reliance on Russian energy.
The Czech government has invested in doubling the capacity of the Transalpine (TAL) pipeline to handle up to eight million metric tonnes of oil annually, reducing dependency on Russian supplies. Officials confirmed that Prague will not seek an extension of the exemption, signaling a significant step in energy diversification.
Czech Republic Stands Firm Against Russian Aggression
The interruption aligns with the Czech Republic’s continued support for Ukraine and its efforts to counter Russian influence. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Petr Fiala reaffirmed the country’s position: “Peace and security in Europe hinge on stopping Russian aggression.”
The government’s investments in alternative oil supply routes underline its commitment to energy security and solidarity with Ukraine.
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