Czech Republic Will Not Pursue Extension of Russian Oil Import Exemption

Czech Republic to End Exemption from EU Ban on Russian Oil Products

Prague – The Czech Republic will not pursue an extension of the exemption from the European Union’s ban on importing Russian oil products, as confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) to Reuters today. This exemption is set to expire on December 5. The prohibition on Russian oil products is part of the EU sanctions imposed on Russia due to its aggression towards Ukraine. Slovakia and Hungary were also granted similar exemptions from this ban.

According to Marek Vošahlík, spokesperson for MPO, “Given the current circumstances and the measures the Czech Republic is undertaking to ensure independence from Russian oil imports, there is no justification for extending the exemption.”

The Czech Republic aims to eliminate its reliance on Russian oil by expanding the TAL pipeline, which is expected to double the oil delivery capacity to eight million tons per year starting next year. Currently, the country sources its oil from two primary channels. Last year, it imported 7.4 million tons of oil, with approximately 58 percent transported via the Druzhba pipeline from Russia. The remainder is sourced from the German IKL pipeline, which links to the Italian TAL pipeline starting in Trieste.

Reuters also highlighted that the Czech Republic primarily acquires Russian oil products through the Slovak refinery Slovnaft, which is owned by the Hungarian company MOL. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has previously indicated that Slovakia does not plan to cease oil supplies from Russia in the near term. The Czech Republic may replace imports from Slovnaft by sourcing oil products from other countries via rail.

In mid-October, MOL cautioned that the end of the exemption could result in fluctuations in fuel supplies for the Czech Republic. However, Orlen Unipetrol, the sole oil processor in the country, reassured that it has secured sufficient oil supplies to maintain production continuity and is prepared to redirect export production to meet domestic demand if necessary.