Despite the sanctions imposed on Russia, the country reports having sold crude oil and natural gas worth more than $320 billion to EU nations since 2022. “For the period from 2022 to the present, this figure amounts to $320.7 billion (approximately €286 billion),” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who is responsible for energy, said on television on Monday.
According to his figures, European countries purchased Russian oil and gas worth $21.3 billion in the first nine months of this year alone. “In other words: despite restrictions resulting from sanctions, we continue to supply energy resources in specific areas where exemptions have been granted.” Novak stated that Russian oil exports could return to pre-war levels by the end of the year.
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Since the start of the large-scale Russian offensive in Ukraine, the EU has imposed numerous sanctions on Russia; however, many countries—including France—continue to meet their energy needs with Russian supplies, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG). Several states, including Slovakia and Hungary, also benefit from an exemption allowing them to purchase Russian oil transported via pipeline.
The calculations do not account for Russian oil and gas that reaches Europe indirectly after being processed in third countries such as India and Turkey. Like China, these countries have massively increased their purchases of Russian crude oil since 2022.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to purchase diesel, and he defended the move on Monday. “The European Union has paid Russia $250 billion for energy, and the fake news media” refused to cover the story, Trump stated. “I made the right decision for the American people—always: America First!”
On Sunday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized the “hypocrisy” of Europeans who “continue to finance Vladimir Putin” while “pretending that we cannot get a reprieve on diesel prices.”
Author: AFP – bur/mhe – Translated by Blackout News
Sources: AFP Press Portal