Oil price increase clears Russia’s deficit. Russia has cut off Europe and sells all to Asia.
Tue 2:10 pm +00:00, 5 May 2026Russian oil exports in April were the same volume as their exports in March, but at twice the price…
Russia exports crude oil mostly plus some diesel. The refineries feed to the local market.
Oil storage facilities produce spectatcular fires, but are quick to replace.
Russia is stopping LNG sales to Europe, in anticipation of further EU sanctions, and is selling most output to Asia instead.
Oil will be the same.
Qatar cannot ship LNG so Europe will become entirley dependent on the USA.
China is buying energy from Russia as is Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and other Asians.
India has doubled purchases of Russian oil.
Europe will get zero.
Russia is assured by Japan they have no plans to sell weapons to Ukraine. Japan is re-arming for a war with China.
China issues threats. Russia doesn’t. Russia doesn’t feel strong enough to threaten alone. Trade with China is essential in every part of the globe. China issues threats based on Chinese power and influence.
But Russia is starting to up the ante in the slip stream of China’s self confidence. Why doesn’t Russia use its military power or make more threats to use it?
Russia talks of naval convoys, which will eventually happen. The Russian navy has enough tasks already, tracking NATO sumarines, patrolling the Arctic, plus keeping ships at sea for extended periods is hard on the crews.
Indonesia is considering charging ships to pass through the Straits Of Malacca. Navies becoming aggressive in enforcing rights. The world of sanctions is ending. China, Russia, US and India will become more powerful using their navies to protect their own shipping. The days of maritime law are ending. Great powers will control their own interests.
Europe does not have powerful navies. And imports most of its needs. Very vulnerable.
China’s navy is more powerful than all of Europe’s. British threats to seize Russian ships went quiet when Russian naval ships appeared.
