Energy company Mol Nyrt. believes it is unrealistic for Hungary and Slovakia to fully eliminate Russian crude in the near future. Despite intentions to invest $500 million to adapt its refineries, COO Gyorgy Bacsa emphasizes the lack of reliable long-term partners and the absence of equivalent crude alternatives for landlocked countries. While the EU’s new energy chief has suggested a complete phaseout of Russian imports, Hungary and Slovakia remain exempt from sanctions, allowing Mol to improve cash flow amidst windfall taxes. Bacsa asserts that Russian oil is essential for regional supply security.