The Czech state company that operates the country's oil pipeline network says deliveries from Russia through the Druhzba pipeline have been halted.

Payment issues linked to U.S. sanctions on Russia were behind the latest halt in oil supplies by Russia to the Czech Republic via the Druzhba pipeline, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The Czech Republic is one of automotive key players in Central Europe,it has developed a strong industrial base and has focused on the improvement of vehicle procurement and management. The country is also improving its transportation and logistics infrastructure,

Oil has stopped flowing through the "Druzhba" pipeline to the Czech Republic, posing a problem for Orlen Unipetrol. On Wednesday, the Czech government decided to lend the company up to 364,000 tons of crude oil from strategic reserves if the interruption in oil supply persists.

A halt in oil supplies by Russia to the Czech Republic on Tuesday via the Druzhba pipeline is due to payment issues between Czech refineries' Polish owner and Russian suppliers, the Czech industry minister was cited as saying.

Oil flow through the "Druzhba" pipeline to the Czech Republic has ceased, posing a challenge for Orlen Unipetrol. On Wednesday, the Czech government decided to lend the company up to 364,000 tonnes of crude oil from its strategic reserves if the supply interruption continues.