Czech Republic Ends Oil Dependence on Russia and Upgrades Pipeline to Receive Oil From Italy

The Czech Republic has completed the modernisation of the oil pipeline connecting it to European suppliers and has completely stopped importing oil from Russia. This was reported by TVP. 

The upgrade of the TAL pipeline, which transports oil from the sea terminal in the Italian port of Trieste, allowed the Czech Republic to increase its oil imports by 4 million tonnes per year, bringing the total to 8 million tonnes. This volume fully meets the country's needs and allows it to finally break its energy dependence on Russia. 

‘This is a crucial moment for the Czech Republic because Russia can no longer blackmail us with energy supplies,’ said Prime Minister Petr Fiala. 

Previously, despite EU sanctions against Russian oil, the Czech Republic continued to import it under a special exemption due to its previous dependence on Russian supplies. Before the modernisation, the country received about half of its oil, i.e. 4 million tonnes, through the Russian Druzhba pipeline, AP reports.

To double the capacity of the TAL pipeline, the Czech Republic has invested more than CZK 1.5 billion ($61 million). 

The Czech Republic has already stopped importing Russian gas earlier this year. Back in November, it was announced that the country did not plan to extend the EU's exemption that allowed it to import Russian oil products. 

Currently, Slovakia and Hungary are the only EU countries that continue to receive oil from Russia. The other 24 EU member states have stopped purchasing Russian oil in accordance with the sanctions imposed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.