On February 16, Croatian Economy Minister Ante Susnjar confirmed that Croatia will not transport Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia despite requests from both countries. This decision comes against the backdrop of halted oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, which have been interrupted since late January due to ongoing Russian assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused Ukraine of stopping these oil flows for political reasons, highlighting the tensions surrounding energy supplies in the region.

Croatia's refusal to facilitate the transport of Russian oil is rooted in concerns for regional fuel security. Ante Susnjar emphasized that Zagreb would not compromise Central Europe's fuel supplies and has expressed readiness to assist in resolving the disruptions while adhering to European Union laws and U.S. sanctions. This stance demonstrates Croatia's commitment to uphold regional energy stability in a challenging geopolitical situation, as the energy landscape in Europe continues to be affected by the war in Ukraine and international sanctions against Russia.

As European nations navigate their energy dependence and supply lines in the wake of the conflict, Croatia's decision underscores the complexities of regional cooperation in energy matters. The refusal points to wider implications for energy policy in Central Europe, with countries having to balance their immediate energy needs against political and legal considerations regarding Russian oil. This situation will undoubtedly affect energy discussions within the EU as member states work collectively to ensure sustainable fuel supplies without relying on Russian resources.