The EU banned Russian oil imports after the conflict in Ukraine broke out in 2022, but exempted Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
The exemption is to give the three countries time to find alternative oil routes and supplies. However, many critics are saying that Hungary is not doing enough to find a replacement for Russian oil.
"Why should we give up Russian oil?" - Reuters quoted Mr. Zsolt Hernadi - CEO of MOL Group in a recent exchange in the city of Esztergom in northern Hungary.
Mr. Hernadi noted, "The MOL board is the one who decides where to buy the oil, not the politicians".
"If we decide to stop Russian oil supplies from the Druzhba pipeline, Hungary will only have the Adria pipeline. Which option is better? One or two routes? Which option ensures better supply? - The General Director of MOL asked.
He also denied the possibility of Hungary running a fuel shortage in September if Ukraine's blockade of Russian oil was not resolved. MOL leaders emphasized that only when MOL speaks out will the problem of oil shortage be a concern.
Refineries in Hungary and Slovakia receive Russian oil via the southern branch of the Druzhba oil pipeline. However, since July this year, Russian oil flow through Ukraine by Lukoil - Russia's largest oil exporter - has been blocked due to Kiev's sanctions on Lukoil.
Hungary and Slovakia have reacted. The EU then proposed that the two Central European countries import oil via the Adriatic pipeline of Croatia's JANAF.
Accordingly, Hungary and Slovakia will receive non-Russian oil from the Adriatic Sea via the Adria pipeline.
Last week, both Hungary and Slovakia opposed the EU's proposal, accusing Croatia of not investing in building related capacity and questioning the maximum capacity of the Adria pipeline. Croatia has responded, dismissing the claim that Croatia is not a reliable supplier.
Hungary imports about 2 million tons of oil from Russia's Lukoil each year, accounting for about a third of the country's total oil imports.
Due to Ukraine blocking Russian oil flows, Slovnaft in Slovakia, owned by Hungarian conglomerate MOL, is expected to receive less than 40% of the oil needed for production, Slovakia warned in early July.
