While our fuel prices are soaring to dizzying heights, Russia is looking for new oil buyers – and is offering hefty discounts to other countries.
Countries and companies around the world are severing economic ties with Russia because of the Ukraine war. The US and UK no longer want to import Russian oil. European countries, including Austria, are also trying to reduce their dependency on raw materials.
Read more: Next EU country lowers crazy fuel prices – and Austria?
India of all places could step into the breach for Vladimir Putin and his struggling economy. The country with more than 1.4 billion inhabitants intends to buy crude oil and other raw materials from Russia at bargain prices. The US news channel “CNN” writes, citing two Indian officials.
Increase Russian imports
India imports 80 percent of its oil needs. Of these, only around two to three percent come from Russia. Because oil prices have risen by 40 percent this year, India wants to increase this share. “Russia is offering oil and other commodities at a deep discount. We’re happy to accept that,” one of the Indian government officials said, according to CNN.
With the oil import, India wants to keep Russia on board as its most important trading partner, it is said. India is particularly dependent on Russia for arms supplies. This includes deliveries of ammunition, missiles and even fighter planes.
War not condemned by UN
How much oil Russia is offering and what the discount is, the officials, who wished to remain anonymous, did not say. In addition to oil, India also wants to buy cheap fertilizer from Russia and Belarus.
Read more: If Putin imposes martial law in Russia, catastrophe threatens
So far, India has not officially condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. India abstained in a vote at the United Nations to denounce Russia as an aggressor.
Propaganda in Russland
Russia describes its military action in Ukraine as a “special operation” to demilitarize and “denazify” the country. Media loyal to the Kremlin continue to sing propaganda songs, many Russians have no idea what their troops are doing in the neighboring country.
Read more: Completely different – this is how Russians experience the Ukraine war on TV