Ukraine to Double Oil Transit Fee to Eastern Europe in April

The Kommersant newspaper and the Argus agency reported that from April 1, Ukraine intends to double the fee for oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline to Eastern Europe.

“Yes, we are aware of Ukraine’s intention to change transit fees, but we do not yet know the criteria for this increase and when it will be applied,” said Igor Demin, a spokesman for the Russian company Transneft.

The Kommersant newspaper reported that Ukraine justified the possible increase in fees by the cost of restoring oil transportation infrastructure that was recently damaged.

The newspaper notes that the Ukrainian side must agree on an increase in transit fees with Hungary and Slovakia.

During the year, Ukraine has already twice increased the fee for transporting oil through its territory as part of the Druzhba oil pipeline, and justified this by increasing costs due to damage to the energy infrastructure.

Source: News