Russia emerged as Syria's main oil supplier - Reuters

Aggressor country of russia has emerged as Syria's main oil supplier, despite the fact that Moscow previously actively supported the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad, and now Damascus seeks rapprochement with the West.

This was reported by Reuters with reference to its own sources on Friday, May 1.

According to the agency, since the beginning of this year, russian oil supplies to Syria have increased to about 60,000 barrels per day. These volumes constitute a small share of daily russian exports, but for Syria, where domestic production remains significantly lower than demand, these supplies make Moscow the dominant supplier.

This dynamics shows how limited Syria's capabilities remain. Despite the fact that the country's new leadership began to focus on the West after the war, its economy is not integrated into the global financial system.

The unnamed sources told Reuters that the oil deal reflects Damascus' economic need and also gives Moscow leverage in the country, where it continues to control two military bases.

Other sources told Reuters that the relationship with Moscow risks straining ties with the European Union and the United States, but Damascus has few options at the moment. They also believe that buying russian oil could make Syria's energy sector vulnerable to renewed Western sanctions.

An unnamed official at the Syrian Energy Ministry said Syria's reliance on russian oil reflects the country's limited market size and weak purchasing power. This makes it difficult to secure long-term contracts with other major oil producers, such as the Gulf states.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on April 24, the russian publication Kommersant wrote, citing sources, that the Syrian leadership wants to change the format of the Khmeimim air base, where russian army units have been stationed since 2015, and turn it into a training center for Syrian military personnel.

We will remind, in early April it became known that Ukraine and Syria agreed to resume the work of embassies in Kyiv and Damascus.