Syria ready to sharply cut Russian oil imports, Reuters reports

Syria to cut Russian oil imports

Damascus has agreed to sharply reduce imports of Russian oil as part of talks with the United States over lifting the last major sanctions measure imposed on Syria, Reuters reported, citing three sources familiar with the negotiations.

Such a move would mark a major shift in Syria's energy policy, as the country currently remains heavily dependent on Russian oil supplies.

According to analysts, the step would provide Washington with another way to weaken Russia's economic influence in Syria.

Oil in exchange for sanctions relief?

Syrian officials have been telling US counterparts for months that they are prepared to reduce imports of Russian oil, according to:

• A Syrian source directly familiar with the negotiations,
• A US official,
• And another source briefed on the matter.

Syria had previously been reluctant to cut Russian oil imports.

"Replacing volumes of Russian crude ⁠cannot happen overnight without risking fuel shortages or higher import costs for Syria," said Navvar Saban, a Syrian analyst at the Arab Center for Research and Studies.

A US State Department spokesperson said Washington is "increasingly targeting the economic network that allows Russia to preserve influence after losing political ground in Syria."

The spokesperson added that the United States expects Syria to comply with US sanctions on Russia.

However, the official stressed that there is no direct link between removing Syria's sanctions designation and any reduction in Russian oil imports.

US sanctions on Syria

The State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) designation, which has been in place since 1979, is the only major US sanctions label that still applies to Syria. Broad sanctions on the country were lifted following the overthrow of dictator Bashar al-Assad.

During the discussions, Washington requested and received assurances from Syria that it would significantly reduce imports of Russian oil, according to a US official and a source familiar with the matter.

US officials told their counterparts in Damascus that ending purchases of Russian oil would "improve the chances of lifting the SST designation quickly and without complications." Syria responded that such a move would allow it to build a broader and more diversified energy supply network, the source said.

A representative of Syria's energy sector told Reuters that Damascus is already seeking alternative suppliers and that "radical changes" are expected.

For example, French energy company TotalEnergies discussed the possibility of signing an offshore exploration agreement with Syrian authorities in July. In June, Syria signed a deal with ConocoPhillips and Novaterra to restore gas production.

Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Indian refiners had increased purchases of Russian crude oil, with intermediaries helping buyers navigate US sanctions.

In addition, after years of sanctions, the United States is changing its approach toward Syria. US President Donald Trump has said he is prepared to remove the country from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.