Russia has received numerous request for energy supplies from Asian countries, has capacity to provide them

MOSCOW. March 25 (Interfax) - Russia has received many requests for energy supplies from Asian countries due to the Middle East conflict, and has the capacity to provide them, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev told journalists.

He said that supply chains across the world were now being revised and those who had previously feared sanctions were now forced to make a decision - "either to fear sanctions or to be left without oil and petroleum products". "That is why I think there is a profound transformation happening, even in mindsets," the minister said.

Tsivilev said that Russia was meeting all of its obligations under existing contracts, "and has now received many requests for new, additional contracts, primarily from Asian partners, which are at the discussion stage". "The majority of Asian countries have submitted such proposals," he said.

Tsivilev said that Russia would cover its own needs fully, as well as the contracts it has signed, "and we have reserves for additional exports of oil, petroleum products and LNG, but that is a topic for discussion". He did not say how much exports and production would grow, but said that "the more the exports, the more production will grow".

Due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, everyone now understands that any supply chain can come under threat, Tsivilev said.

"Therefore, we are now rethinking the energy supply chains that we will establish. Of course, we will primarily supply energy resources to our nearest neighbors, with whom we have borders, where there are fewer risks, and we will also reconsider other logistics for the supply of petroleum products," he said.