Friendship Restored (?): Russian Oil Flows Resume
Recent developments around the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline have highlighted just how vulnerable and politically entangled Central Europe’s energy supply remains.
Energy
A collection of 61 posts
Oil price shocks: how the energy crisis is dividing Central Europe
As Hormuz closes and Druzhba stays shut, the four Visegrád countries face the same vulnerability from opposite directions.
Czech Republic and Slovakia agree €40m deal to reverse Druzhba pipeline flow
The Czech Republic and Slovakia have agreed to invest approximately €40 million to reverse the flow of the Czech section of the Druzhba pipeline, creating an alternative crude oil supply route for Slovakia amid an ongoing energy crisis triggered by damage to the pipeline's Ukrainian stretch.
What Druzhba broke: competitiveness and Europe's energy dilemma
A Russian drone strike on Ukraine's Druzhba pipeline in January 2026 has triggered a diplomatic crisis between Kyiv, Budapest and Bratislava - but the real damage runs deeper. The dispute has forced into the open a question: whether the EU can remain industrially competitive while paying two to
Oil crisis: Are the Poles getting off light?
In Poland there are no signs of fuel panic or dramatic price hikes. The key to this apparent mystery lies in successful diversification.
Druzhba pipeline shutdown plunges Hungary and Slovakia into oil dispute with Ukraine
Oil still halted a month after a Druzhba pipeline strike, with Hungary and Slovakia blaming Ukraine for stalling repairs in a deepening row.
The Druzhba–Adria cost equation
A closer look at the economic realities behind a potential switch from Druzhba to Adria — and whether it truly makes financial sense.
Rubio’s regional tour: Who was the U.S. signalling - and what?
Following the U.S. Secretary of State’s partial regional tour, at least as many questions remain as the trip itself answered
Nuclear pedestal - The key in Slovakia’s energy policy
In the second part of our energy overview, we present the Slovak energy system and its challenges
Hungary’s energy path: Still quite expensive
Hungary has chosen a unique path in designing its energy system, both in European and regional comparisons.
MOL nears NIS takeover to build cross-border refining network
Hungary’s MOL nears a majority stake in Serbia’s NIS, bringing the Pančevo refinery and NIS assets under its control once U.S. sanctions lift.
Seismic shift in Venezuela – How it could affect Central and Eastern Europe
The aftermath of Trump’s Venezuela move remains unclear, but CEE states are likely to be impacted indirectly by oil prices and EU sanctions.
Serbia's oil refinery to close after U.S. refuses to extend NIS license
Serbia failed to remove Russian capital from NIS despite extensions; leaving its refinery unlicensed and oil reserves secure only until year-end.
Neptune, the Ray of Light for Romanian energy dependency
The Neptun Deep project is viewed as a pivotal opportunity for Romania's economy and energy independence.
Sanctions oil shock: What awaits Central Europe’s markets
The Central and Eastern European oil market is entering a new era as a result of the US measures aimed at restricting Russian crude exports.