EU criticism of diesel deal runs counter to consumer interests — deputy PM Novak

MOSCOW, October 16. /TASS/. Criticism from the European Union regarding Russian diesel supplies runs counter to the interests of European consumers, as politics in Europe takes precedence over rational decision-making, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told the Russian Energy Week forum.

"As for criticism from our European partners, we have become accustomed to their political decisions and statements running counter to the pragmatic demands of the market and consumers," Novak said. "It is European consumers who suffer first and foremost."

He noted that since Europe began moving away from affordable and stable supplies from Russia, its costs have risen. "Many manufacturing operations have relocated to other countries. There are bankruptcies and business closures," the deputy prime minister emphasized. "Yet, politics currently prevails over rational solutions that would benefit consumers. In my view, everything they do regarding energy policy comes at the expense of their own economies and their own consumers."

Novak pointed out that since 2022, Russia has supplied energy resources to Europe worth $320 billion, including $21.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026.

"It was not Russia that walked away from cheap and stable energy supplies. Rather, it was Europe that made that decision for political reasons," Novak concluded. "We remain prepared to continue fulfilling our contracts - including long-term agreements, some of which run until 2035-2040. The refusal to accept supplies under these contracts is a unilateral decision that has no basis in the existing legal and regulatory framework."