Since the conflict began in 2022, RussiaLife is hard. Europe, which was originally the largest energy buyer in Russia, suddenly turned its face and refused to recognize anyone and closed the door directly. Who will Russian oil be sold to? The finance is about to bottom out. At this time, two "big customers" came from the East- India isand China。
Let's put it this way, from the end of 2022 to the end of August this year (2025), Russian oil exports, ChinaAlmost half (47 percent) of them have eaten. India isThey also took almost 40 percent (38 percent).The two could be said to have lost oxygen to the Russian economy by their own strength, leaving it without a direct shock under Western sanctions.
Especially in India, it's called a "fierce" to buy. In 2024, India's imports of Russian oil hit a record high, with 89 million tons produced throughout the year. For India, this deal is too good. The country is developing, and there is a shortage of energy everywhere. The oil sold at a discount in Russia is simply a pie falling from the sky. India is not only using it itself, but it is also working hard to process the cheap crude oil into gasoline and diesel, and then sell it back to the European countries that initially imposed sanctions on Russia.This business is done, even Turkey has red eyes, by selling Russian oil a year has saved billions of dollars.
So, even last month, the United States was so angry that it said that India "evaded sanctions" and imposed a 25% levy on India's US $20 billion textiles and pharmaceuticals TariffAt that time, India was still stubborn, saying that buying Russian oil was our freedom.
But as soon as he finished speaking, his body was very honest.
In March, India had its second-largest oil refinery. Barrett Petroleum CompanyBy August, a large refinery in India, the share of Russian oil from the previous half, suddenly dropped to 35%.
How can you buy oil without buying it before?
To be honest, India is a “political account.” Before looking at the economic account, it was discovered that it was blood earned. Tariff stickReally crashed, India only discovered that in order to save some oil money, to put the livelihoods of its own exports into it, this sale seems to have not been calculated.
And this is also a chain reaction.The United States has taken action, and the EU has also followed India's trusted industry's world's largest refinery - Jamnagar refinery - to Raheem, explicitly prohibiting the import of any finished oil processed with Russian crude oil.
What's even worse is that India, unlike us, relies entirely on sea transportation to import energy. At the beginning of this year, the United States sanctioned 183 Russian "Shadow Fleet" oil tankers, which caused the risks and costs of maritime transportation to soar sharply. The boat is hard to find, the insurance premium has soared, and it is becoming more and more difficult for India to buy it.
So you see, It's not that India doesn't want to buy it, it's really pushed into a corner.。It can now only negotiate with the United States while finding new sellers. A few days ago, the Indian delegation made harsh remarks to the Americans: Want us to stop buying Russian oil completely? Okay, then you have to lift the oil embargoes on Iran and Venezuela. These words sounded tough, but actually contained a sense of helplessness. India is telling the United States: The landlord's family has no surplus grain. You cut off all my cheap oil sources. How can I find so much oil? Behind this lies India's deep strategic anxiety as a major energy importer.
After talking about India, let's take a look at us again ChinaThe action of.
We are also a big buyer of Russian oil, buying 108 million tons in 2024, accounting for almost one-fifth of our total imports. But unlike India's "opportunistic" buying method, our strategy is much more stable and takes a long-term view.
What do we do in the face of U.S. pressure? not hard clashes, not brakes like India.Our three major oil companies – Neutrophobic, Central and Mediterranean oil – have reduced Russian shipment orders by 15 percent since February this year.
You may ask, what about the gap? The answer is, We focused on the overland pipeline。 Eastern Russian oil pipeline.This energy artery is not affected by any maritime sanctions, and its transportation is stable and safe. We have increased the proportion of pipeline transportation and are also actively developing Arctic navigationEstablish a complementary system of maritime transport.
What are the advantages of doing this? That is, no matter how big the storm and waves on your sea are, I will stand still. It is much more difficult for the United States to get stuck in our necks by sanctioning shipping. We use practical actions to tell the world that China rejects any form of economic coercionOur energy cooperation with Russia is based on long-term strategy and national interests and will not be easily changed due to external pressure.
Of course, we don't put eggs in one basket. While continuing to import Russian oil, we rely on " along the way.This large framework, with Central Asia, the Middle East and South America, is deepening energy cooperation with Venezuela.Our goal is to build a diversified, stable and secure global energy cooperation network.This is not only for our own energy security but is also driving the global energy trade pattern towards a more fair and reasonable direction.
Now that India, a big buyer, has suddenly tightened its pockets, short-term pain is inevitable for Russia. Fiscal revenue will definitely be affected, and the pressure on military spending will increase. But this matter may also become a catalyst, forcing Russia to think about how to truly diversify its economy and get rid of its excessive dependence on energy exports.
In general, the different reactions of India and China, like a mirror, illustrate the different ideas and backgrounds of the two great powers when dealing with complex international relations. India is more like a wise businessman, where there is cheap to drill, but when the risk comes, it is also more susceptible to external forces. We not only pay attention to immediate interests, but also pay attention to long-term layout and strategic initiative。
This game around oil is far from over and it tells us that in this era of unpredictable change, the real sense of security comes not from momentary economic dividends, but from strong national power and a clear long-term strategic vision.