Is Russian oil becoming a lifeline for Southeast Asia?
Key takeaways
- With oil, gas and fertilizer imports squeezed by the Iran war, Southeast Asian governments are brushing off EU pressure and treating Russian energy as a tool of economic survival.
- Despite years of Western sanctions, Russia remains one of the top energy suppliers on the global stage.
- Crucially, Russia's geography allows it to export its energy without passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been disrupted by the US-Israel war against Iran.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
With oil, gas and fertilizer imports squeezed by the Iran war, Southeast Asian governments are brushing off EU pressure and treating Russian energy as a tool of economic survival.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DPq9Southeast Asian nations consume around 5 million barrels of oil per day but produce only about 2 million Image: Jam Sta Rosa/AFPAdvertisement As Southeast Asian governments scramble to respond to the unprecedented energy crisis, the EU is turning up the pressure to keep them from buying Russian energy.
Despite years of Western sanctions, Russia remains one of the top energy suppliers on the global stage. It is the world's second-biggest oil exporter, behind Saudi Arabia, and the second-biggest gas exporter, trailing only the US.