Philippines Requests US Permission to Buy More Russian Oil

Istanbul (ANTARA) - The Philippines is awaiting a response from the US to purchase more Russian oil, Energy Minister Sharon Garin told reporters in Manila on Tuesday (14/4). “We have communicated with the US State Department to obtain another opportunity or extension of the embargo waiver,” Garin said. She stated that the Philippines is very optimistic about the official request submitted to Washington, as an effort to address the energy emergency in the Southeast Asian country. Amid the war with Iran, the US has granted a 30-day exemption for the international purchase of sanctioned Russian oil by Washington and its Western allies due to the war in Ukraine. In March, the Philippines purchased a total of 2.48 million barrels of Russian crude oil. This Southeast Asian country imports 90 per cent of its oil from the Middle East and paid $16 billion (Rp274.03 trillion) for oil in 2024.