The Czech Republic has increased its energy security by completing a project aimed at ending the country's dependence on oil supplies from Russia, the Czech government said, according to the Associated Press.

Previously, the Czech Republic received about half of its oil, or 4 million tons, through the Druzhba pipeline from Russia.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Russian imports were no longer necessary because the country “can get all its oil from the West.”

The Czechs have invested more than 1.5 billion Czech crowns ($61 million) to double the capacity of Italy's TAL pipeline to 8 million metric tons a year. A branch of the pipeline that runs through Germany called IKL serves the Czech Republic.

The imported volume of oil will fully cover the country's needs. Finance Minister Zbynek Stanyura said Orlen Unipetrol's refinery no longer plans to import Russian crude starting in the second half of this year.