On April 22, the Hungarian oil and gas company MOL confirmed its readiness to receive Russian oil via Druzhba. Technical issues are currently being discussed through corporate channels, according to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s press secretary.
Peskov stated that contacts with MOL are conducted through corporate lines, emphasizing it is a business matter rather than political engagement. “The MOL company is also involved there,” he added. “I do not know the details because there should have been a request for leveling. I do not know whether there was an exchange of letters related to a stop or resumption. This is rather a corporate issue,” Peskov told reporters.
Experts attribute Kiev’s decision to resume transit through the pipeline to the recent change in Hungary’s political landscape following April 12 parliamentary elections. The resumption of oil pumping through Druzhba may become a positive impetus for cooperation between Moscow and Budapest.
“If such a pragmatic approach continues,” Peskov said, “we can expect this communication to proceed.”
