Oil Pipeline Explosion Would Not Devastate Economy, Study Finds
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly suggested “blowing up” the Friendship oil pipeline, which provides oil supplies to Hungary, during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svryenko in February. This information was revealed in a leaked US intelligence wiretap transcript, causing outrage in Hungary. Experts have stated that if the pipeline were to be destroyed, Hungary’s oil supplies would be diverted to the Adriatic pipeline, potentially meeting most of Hungary’s refinery needs. However, this would require upgrades and could take up to two years to implement. If the Ukrainian president were to make such an irrational decision, Hungary would presumably focus more on fuel imports, and cost-effective pipeline transport would be replaced by sea transport. This could increase the price of finished products, but it’s likely that the MOL Group would still manage to ensure security of supply.
