March 02, 2023

An End to Friendship


An End to Friendship
Construction of the Druzhba pipeline in Zsámbok, Hungary, 1972. Urbán Tamás, Wikimedia Commons.

On February 25, a day after the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian oil company Transneft suspended the supply of crude oil to Poland's largest oil company, PKN Orlen.

The Druzhba ("Friendship") pipeline, one of the world's longest, carries oil from Eastern Russia to much of Europe, including Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany. 

The contract between Transneft and PKN Orlen was set to expire in December 2024. Transneft did not give a reason for its suspension, but the action came one day after Poland dispatched its first Leopard tanks to Ukraine

PKN Orlen said they expected this to happen, but said the suspension will not affect Polish consumers. Poland intends to end Russian oil imports entirely, but it requires EU sanctions on oil imports to cancel their remaining contract with a Russian supplier. "Only 10% of crude oil has been coming from Russia, and we will replace it with oil from other sources," PKN Orlen's CEO Daniel Obajtek wrote on Twitter.

According to Radio Svoboda, PKN Orlen currently receives oil sourced from the North Sea, West Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Persian and Mexican Gulfs. 

You Might Also Like

Index of War
  • January 28, 2023

Index of War

Fact and figures related to Russia's War on Ukraine.
A Most Important Import
  • June 06, 2022

A Most Important Import

Saudi Arabia has agreed to increase oil production as demand for Russian oil takes a hit.
Huawei Slinks Out
  • April 15, 2022

Huawei Slinks Out

Russia's international economic isolation continues as Chinese telecoms giant Huawei moves to leave the country.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955