Moscow: Dmitry Pereshevsky, Director of the Economic Cooperation Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, announced on Thursday that the European Union has already lost up to $1 trillion after abandoning Russian raw materials and hydrocarbons.
According to Yemen News Agency, Pereshevsky stated, "They have already lost a lot. I've seen estimates as high as $1 trillion. Abandoning Russian raw materials and hydrocarbons has led to losses due to higher prices, as they are buying from other sources at higher prices." He further noted that these losses include the impact of the Nord Stream pipeline attack and the EU's decision to distance itself from Russian hydrocarbons.
Pereshevsky reassured that Russia's supply of vital mineral resources will continue to find eager buyers despite EU sanctions. Sputnik reported him saying, "We also have such raw materials and minerals, and we have always been a reliable supplier to those interested. We have never refused. If someone doesn't want to buy them, that's their right and their choice. These are also rare raw materials, not available to everyone, and they are vital minerals. So we will always find a buyer, and we have no problem with that."
Russia continues to criticize the West for its decision to reject Russian hydrocarbons, suggesting that it will lead to increased dependency due to soaring prices. Despite this, countries that have moved away from Russian energy resources are still engaging in indirect purchases through intermediaries.
On April 23, the European Union announced its twentieth package of sanctions against Russia, tightening restrictions on the energy sector, including oil extraction, refining, and transportation. Plans for a twenty-first package of sanctions are also underway.
Moscow consistently emphasizes its resilience against Western sanctions, which have been intensifying over the years.