Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned on Friday that Russia had change into certainly one of China’s main suppliers of oil and fuel, with 13.8 billion cubic metres of fuel shipped to China through the Energy of Siberia pipeline within the first 11 months of 2022.

In remarks firstly of a video convention with Chinese language President Xi Jinping, Putin mentioned: “In response to the outcomes of this yr, Russia has change into one of many leaders in oil exports to China.”

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Russia overtook Saudi Arabia as China’s high crude provider final month.

Putin added that Russia was China’s second largest provider of pipeline fuel and fourth largest of liquefied pure fuel (LNG). He mentioned that in December, shipments had been 18% above day by day contractual obligations.

Russian vitality exports to China have risen markedly since Moscow despatched its armed forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24, after which Western international locations imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak mentioned on Nov. 29 that Russia’s vitality exports to China had elevated in worth by 64% this yr, and by 10% in quantity.