Fact Check: Russia aims to boost oil and gas exports through new partnerships.

Fact Check: "Russia aims to boost oil and gas exports through new partnerships."

What We Know

Recent analyses indicate that Russia is indeed looking to enhance its oil and gas exports, particularly to countries like China and India. According to a report from Reuters, Russia's energy strategy anticipates a significant increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, projecting a rise from 45 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023 to 142 bcm by 2030. Furthermore, Russia's crude oil exports to China have been substantial, with China purchasing 47% of Russia's crude exports, as noted in a monthly analysis of Russian fossil fuel exports (source-2).

However, the context is crucial. Despite these partnerships, Russian fossil fuel revenues have seen a decline. In May 2025, revenues from fossil fuel exports dropped to their lowest levels since the invasion of Ukraine, with a 3% month-on-month decrease to EUR 565 million per day (source-2). This decline occurred even as export volumes increased by 4%, indicating that while Russia is attempting to maintain and grow its export partnerships, the economic impact of sanctions and global market conditions is significant.

Analysis

The claim that Russia aims to boost oil and gas exports through new partnerships is supported by evidence of increasing trade with countries like China and India. Reports indicate that these countries are becoming increasingly reliant on Russian fossil fuels, with India’s imports of Russian coal surging by 34% month-on-month to an all-time high in May 2025 (source-2). Additionally, the expectation of increased LNG exports as part of Russia's long-term strategy suggests a proactive approach to securing new markets (source-1).

However, the reliability of this claim is tempered by the current economic realities faced by Russia. The ongoing sanctions from Western nations have severely impacted Russia's ability to export oil and gas, leading to fluctuating revenues and reliance on a limited number of partners (source-3). The monthly analyses highlight that while export volumes may be stable or increasing, the revenues are not keeping pace, indicating a potential vulnerability in Russia's export strategy (source-2, source-3).

Furthermore, the geopolitical landscape is shifting, with the EU proposing to phase out Russian gas and oil imports by the end of 2027 (source-4). This could limit Russia's ability to sustain or significantly boost its export levels in the long term, despite current partnerships.

Conclusion

The claim that "Russia aims to boost oil and gas exports through new partnerships" is Partially True. While there is evidence of Russia actively seeking to expand its export partnerships, particularly with China and India, the overall context of declining revenues and the impact of international sanctions complicates this narrative. Russia's strategy may be ambitious, but the effectiveness of these partnerships in overcoming economic challenges remains uncertain.

Fact Check: Russia aims to boost oil and gas exports through new partnerships.