Hungary has made an official request to the Croatian government to facilitate the transportation of Russian oil via the Adria pipeline. This request was communicated through a joint letter sent by Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó and Slovakia's Minister of Economy Denisa Sáková. The ministers emphasized that the energy security issues should not become a matter of ideological disputes and referred to sanctions exemptions that allow for maritime import of Russian oil when pipeline supplies are disrupted.

The change in this route is primarily a response to the recent halt in the transit of oil through the 'Družba' pipeline, which runs through Ukraine. This interruption occurred at the end of last month due to widespread Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. For Hungary, the 'Družba' pipeline has been a crucial source of oil supply, given that the country has no direct access to the sea.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has previously underscored the importance of maintaining a stable oil supply for Hungary, which aligns with the country's energy needs. Orban's approach seems to position Hungary against the broader European consensus regarding sanctions on Russian energy, highlighting the tensions within Europe concerning energy dependence on Russia amidst ongoing geopolitical conflicts.