Russia doubles liquefied petroleum gas deliveries to Taliban, Reuters reports
Russia has doubled deliveries of liquefied petroleum gas to Taliban militants (Photo: gsctanks.com)
Taliban militants in Afghanistan have doubled their purchases of Russian liquefied petroleum gas during the period from January to November of the current year, according to Reuters.
The news agency states that Russia redirected deliveries from Europe against the backdrop of the political aftermath of the war against Ukraine.
It is noted that Russia has not officially recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government in Afghanistan. However, it was one of the first countries to establish contacts and enter into business deals with the militants after their return to power in 2021.
Last year, the Taliban and Russia signed an agreement for the supply of gasoline, diesel, gas, and wheat after Moscow offered the terrorists a discount on raw material prices compared to the global average.
Increase in liquefied petroleum gas deliveries
Deliveries of Russian liquefied petroleum gas to Afghanistan by rail in January-November exceeded 176,000 tons, more than doubling the supplies for the same period in 2022.
Half of the volumes were supplied from the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant. The total volume of liquefied petroleum gas exports from Russia to Central Asia for the first 11 months of the year also doubled to 390,100 tons.
EU did not impose sanctions on Russian liquefied petroleum gas
Liquefied petroleum gas, is mainly used as fuel for vehicles, heating, and in the production of other petrochemical products.
Unlike oil, exports of liquefied petroleum gas from Russia have not been subjected to Western sanctions. However, Russia has redirected its deliveries from Europe, particularly to Central Asia. The main exporters of this gas type from Russia include Gazprom, Rosneft, Lukoil, Gazprom Neft, and the Orsk Refinery.
Supply of raw materials from Russia to other countries
In late August, it was reported that European Union countries increased imports of Russian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 40% for the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2021.
Additionally, Reuters reported in November that Türkiye imported a record amount of Russian Urals crude oil.
At the end of November, it was revealed that India would increase imports of coking coal from Russia as supplies from Australia began to decline.
