Russia reveals new oil buyers

On May 9, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and former Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that crude oil production is increasing again in Russia in May, after falling last month due to orders. Western sanctions.

“The situation is stable. Output has increased compared to April. We expect that the figures will partially recover in May and will be better,” – RT quoted Deputy Prime Minister Novak as telling journalists.

Novak added that some new customers have started buying oil from Russia and exports have really increased in some new destinations, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Moscow is considering developing new infrastructure projects to diversify oil supply, such as expanding oil pipeline to China and build new ports.

TASS previously reported that Russia’s crude oil production in April fell by 9% compared to March. The Russian Finance Ministry estimated that oil production could decrease by as much as 17% this year.

International sanctions imposed on Russia over its military campaign in Ukraine have banned Western companies from doing energy cooperation with Moscow. The US bans Russian crude oil imports, and the EU is pushing for a similar embargo.

However, a member of the European Parliament from Ireland, Clare Daly, said that an embargo on Russian oil would not be able to stop the war or save any lives in Ukraine.

“Not because I feel sorry for Russia, not because I’m paid by Putin, but because sanctions don’t work,” Daly said.

Daly, a member of the left-wing Independents 4 Change party, argues that, if Europe doesn’t buy Russian oil, someone else will. And the common people of Europe will pay the price.

The EU has proposed a gradual ban on imports Russian oil exports from now until the end of the year. The EU is said to have exempted Hungary and Slovakia, whose economies are heavily dependent on Russian energy supplies.

Ms. Daly said that Russia was “clearly” responsible for the war in Ukraine and the influx of refugees from the country. Daly also believes that the West has also contributed to the conflict.

“We cannot ignore the role of the EU and the US. That is no excuse for Russia. Simply to explain, because you can’t solve a problem without understanding its roots,” she said.

Daly echoed Pope Francis’ words last week that NATO’s eastward expansion “probably has created favorable conditions” for Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, which was launched at the end of the month 2.

According to Ms Daly, by sending more weapons to Kiev, “the response of the EU and the Irish government caused the conflict to continue to escalate”.

On May 7, Britain pledged to provide military support and additional aid of 1.3 billion pounds (1.6 billion USD) to the country Ukraine. The move was announced a day after the US promised an additional $150 million in military aid to Kiev.