"First, when we discussed this issue in December at the signing of agreements, we frankly said that the achievement of these indicators would take some time. And we talked about it publicly. We have special conditions. We have a winter period, we have low temperatures, we have special climatic and geological conditions of production. Therefore, in principle, it’s impossible to quickly reduce production," Novak, who accompanies President Vladimir Putin on a visit to Serbia, said.
READ MORE: Qatari Energy Minister Says Many OPEC Members Regret Doha Exiting Organization
"Naturally, we will try to make reductions as fast as possible… Russia is committed to these agreements," the minister added.
In late 2016, OPEC and non-OPEC states made a deal to cut oil production in a bid to stabilize oil prices. Since then, the agreement has repeatedly been prolonged with the final extension reaching the end of 2018.
