According to Interfax article published on March 28, 2023, Russia substantially ramped up oil exports to India in 2022, and increased supplies to China, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said during his speech at the concluding board meeting of the Energy Ministry.
"Most of our energy resources have been redirected to other markets, to the markets of 'friendly' countries. Let me remind you that when talking about oil supplies to India, they increased 22-fold last year. Supplies to China and other markets increased. This is also the result of the excellent work that has been done in the sector," Novak said.
Later, the Deputy Prime Minister, in an interview with the Russia 24 TV channel, said that oil exports to China in 2022 had increased 8%, and coal even more.
"As far as China is concerned, we have been developing this direction for a long time, and expanded the capabilities of the port of Kozmino last year. We will continue this year as well. We think that there will be new attempts by unfriendly countries to limit us with sanctions, so it is important for us to create a system with our partners which can function independently of these restrictions," Novak said.
Considering that the Asian market is growing faster in terms of demand, Novak expressed confidence that Russian energy resources will be in demand in the future: "This is both oil and gas, especially liquefied natural gas, petroleum products, and coal."
Earlier, Novak reported that oil supplies to China in 2022 reached 67 million tonnes, almost a third of Russia's exports. He stressed that volumes will increase in the future.
