Strategic Allies: Russia to Supply Afghanistan With Million Tons of Oil

Russia is considering the possibility of supplying Afghanistan with 1.5 million tons of oil per year, according to the Deputy Minister of Energy Yury Sentyurin.

According to the minister, 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.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan, established by the United Nations Security Council in December 2001.

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.

In addition, Russia has offered to carry out further exploration work in northern Afghanistan. This feat could be undertaken by the company, ‘Zarubezhgeologiya’. The proposal was made in the framework of the Russian-Afghan intergovernmental commission.