Ukrtransnafta stopped the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba oil pipeline

On August 4, PJSC Ukrtransnafta stopped the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba oil pipeline to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Foreign media report this with reference to a representative of Russian Transneft.

The reason for stopping transit is the impossibility of prepayment for oil transit services due to EU sanctions.

Transneft explains that Ukrtransnafta provides oil transportation services on the basis of 100% prepayment.

"But when making a payment for transit through the territory of Ukraine, the funds were returned to the account of Transneft PJSC. Gazprombank, which handles payments, informed us that the payment was returned in connection with the entry into force of the European Union regulations, i.e. the seventh package of sanctions," explained the top manager of the Russian company.

A source in Naftogaz confirmed the transit stop. "The Russian side is once again unable to make the payment because the banks are refusing the transaction due to sanctions. Currently, the Russian Federation is looking for someone who can pay for them. This incident does not threaten the final consumer, because the refineries in Hungary and Slovakia are currently under repair," said ExPro's source.