Taiwan has become the largest buyer of Russian naphtha, a key oil product used in making semiconductors, even as it supports Ukraine and upholds sanctions against Moscow in other sectors.
Data compiled and published by the Finnish-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) on Wednesday shows that Taiwan purchased $1.3 billion worth of Russian naphtha in the first six months of 2025.
That figure marks a 44% rise from the same period last year and represents nearly six times the monthly average in 2022, before the full impact of sanctions took hold.
Naphtha underpins Taiwan’s biggest industry and plays a central role in global technology supply chains.
Since the full-scale war in Ukraine began, Taiwan has imported 6.8 million metric tonnes (6.8 billion kilograms, or about 15 billion pounds) of Russian naphtha valued at nearly $5 billion – about 20% of Russia’s total exports of the petroleum-derived hydrocarbon-based solvent.
The surge comes despite Taiwan’s strong political stance against Moscow. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung traveled to Poland last week to sign an agreement pledging aid for Ukrainian children affected by the war.
Taipei has also restricted exports of advanced technology to prevent Russia’s military from accessing them.
Energy imports, however, remain an exception. Taiwan relies on foreign supplies for roughly 97% of its consumption and has not placed Russian oil and gas under a ban.
Some analysts argue the purchases reflect economic necessity rather than political alignment.
“This is opportunism by Taiwan’s petrochemical industry,” said John Lough of the New Eurasian Strategies Centre, as quoted by The Guardian.
“Yes, it puts money into Russia’s coffers, but it doesn’t mean Moscow will be able or willing to support China militarily over Taiwan.”
Others warn of risks to Taiwan’s international image. “The more Taiwan depends on Russian fossil fuels, the more it undermines its credibility with democratic partners,” said Hsin Hsuan Sun, a co-author of the report.
The findings come as Russia battles its own petrochemical crisis. A wave of Ukrainian drone attacks has disabled nearly 40% of Russia’s oil refining capacity, forcing Moscow to shut down plants and creating severe domestic shortages.