Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday that the global economy was rediscovering the “systemic role” of Russian oil and gas.
In a statement posted to his Telegram channel following economic meetings in Florida with US counterparts, Dmitriev argued that many countries, “primarily the United States,” were beginning to recognize Russia’s importance in maintaining stability in global energy markets. He also criticized Western sanctions on Moscow as ineffective and damaging to the global economy.
The remarks come amid a sharp disruption in global oil supplies after the outbreak of war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran on Feb. 28. Fighting in the region has effectively halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, through which roughly a fifth of global oil supply normally passes.
The United States on Thursday temporarily authorized the sale of Russian crude and petroleum products already loaded onto vessels, allowing those cargoes to be delivered through April 11.
Washington said the measure was temporary as oil prices surged after US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a wider Middle East crisis, AFP reported.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it would not deliver significant financial benefits to the Russian government.
Russia has moved quickly to frame the decision as proof that Western economies remain dependent on its energy exports during periods of market turmoil.
The messaging echoes comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, who warned that instability in the Middle East had pushed the global energy system into crisis and said Russia’s energy sector remained a reliable supplier.
Earlier this week, former US ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer told Kyiv Post that easing pressure on Russian energy exports would come at the wrong time because Moscow stands to benefit from both higher oil prices and any weakening of sanctions while showing no sign it has softened its position on the war against Ukraine.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Western governments have imposed sweeping sanctions targeting Moscow’s energy sector. Those measures have aimed to limit the Kremlin’s revenue from oil exports while avoiding a shock to global markets.