Russia is considering the possibility of supplying Afghanistan with 1.5 million tons of oil every year.
Russia’s Deputy Minister of Energy Yury Sentyurin says that Afghanistan consumes more than 3 million tons of petroleum products for its own personal needs and uses another 3 million for the International Security Assistance Force.
According to the Russian minister, Russia does not intend to supply Afghanistan with all of the 6 million tons of oil products but it could easily supply 1-1.5 million.
“I do not think that we need to monopolize the market. We have proposed a strategic idea to our Afghan partners to form a strategic national reserve,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, a number of Afghan economic analysts say that this assistance is in country’s interest for the current situation and the consumption of oil should set in a regular schedule.
Considering the problems that Afghan traders often face in transit through Iran and Pakistan, the Russia can be a reliable alternate.
Afghan and Russian authorities have agreed to expand business and economic relations between Afghanistan and the Russia.