Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand says the country's foreign minister has started negotiations with Russia on oil procurement
Sputnik Bangkok, March 17 - Deputy Prime Minister Piyapong Ruangrassamee said at a press conference held at the government building on March 17 that Thailand's Foreign Minister Sisayak Phongkhetkham has started negotiations on Russian oil supply issues.
Due to military operations in the Middle East, Thailand's oil supply from the Persian Gulf faces threats, which usually accounts for about half of Thailand's total oil imports. After the United States partially lifted restrictions on Russian oil, Thailand expressed willingness last week to negotiate with Russia on crude oil procurement.
Piyapong said, "There is a good news today. Mr. Sisayak Phongkhetkham left yesterday for Europe to attend an international conference... and began discussions on oil supplies there..."
Thailand's Foreign Minister is currently attending the Global Anti-Fraud Summit organized jointly by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Interpol in Vienna. The Russian delegation is also attending this summit.
Piyapong pointed out that on March 17, during the weekly cabinet meeting, they will discuss the issue of purchasing oil from Russia with the Minister of Energy of Thailand.
He also pointed out, "If we can get oil from Russia, we won't have any problems anymore."
The US Treasury lifted the ban on the purchase of Russian oil and its derivatives on board ships on March 12, which lasted for one month. Kirill Dmitriev, the special representative of the Russian President responsible for foreign investment and economic cooperation, stated that the removal of restrictions by the United States would involve about 100 million barrels of Russian oil in transit.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859957551295627/
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