Russia and Iran, under tremendous pressure from sanctions, are turning toward each other—and they’re both looking eastward, too.

Российский вице-премьер высоко оценил союзнический характер российско-венесуэльской координации на многосторонних площадках, в том числе в рамках ОПЕК+.

Countries led by Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark are calling for a cautious approach, while a group including Belgium, Italy, Greece and Poland is pushing for a more aggressive tool to contain gas prices.

Seaborne exports of Russian crude averaged 3.07 million b/d in November, down from 3.09 million b/d in October and just below the pre-war average of 3.1 million b/d in January and February.

Russia gradually choked its gas supply to Europe through 2022, ending deliveries via Yamal-Europe and Nord Stream, and sharply cutting exports via Ukraine.

Russia is traditionally among the world’s top three coal exporters, though the industry accounts for just a sliver of the Russian economy.

In June the EU announced that, come December 5th, it would ban imports of Russian seaborne crude oil, which accounted for 2m barrels per day (b/d), or about 40% of Russia’s total crude exports, a year ago.

Gas prices are four times higher than normal for this time of year, fueling inflation and hurting economies.

«Хотел бы особо отметить позицию дружественного нам Китая, который последовательно выступает категорически против односторонних санкций. Надеемся, что КНР продолжит занимать независимую позицию в данном вопросе», – добавил Александр Новак.

With Russia cutting most of its gas supplies to Europe in the fallout over Moscow’s war in Ukraine, the continent is set to delve further into its stockpiles that it has spent months accumulating.

The EU aims to end its reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027. For now, Moscow’s move to halt supplies through the main Nord Stream 1 pipeline has led the bloc to increase shipments of Russian seaborne gas by around 50 per cent.

The European Union needs additional funds to decouple from Russian gas and shield companies and households from the current energy crisis,

The 27 EU member states are trying to hammer out an agreement that can be implemented by the end of the year. The commission on Tuesday proposed to limit the price of the upcoming contract on the TTF market. TTF accounts for around four-fifths of gas trading in the bloc.

Despite having already spent hundreds of billions of euros ensuring storage sites are filled this winter and providing support to households and businesses, the strain on public funds as well as pain for households and businesses are likely to continue next year.

Failure to reach a deal would send a signal that the EU’s united response to the war-driven energy crisis is falling apart -- a political gift for Moscow that Europe is keen to avoid.