Syria relies on Russia's oil despite pivot to the West
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- Two analysts and three Syrian officials said the trade reflects economic necessity in Damascus and also gives Moscow influence in a country where it retains two naval and air bases.
- The relationship with Russia risks straining ties with the EU and Washington, but Damascus currently has few options, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
- The trade could also make Syria’s energy sector vulnerable to renewed Western sanctions, said Syrian economist Karam Shaar.
- An official at state-run Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) said Damascus was trying to diversify suppliers and had, so far unsuccessfully, sought an oil deal with Turkey, which is close to the Syrian government.
- Maritime analytics firm SynMax said financial constraints, commercial risks, and years of conflict limit Syria's access to conventional tanker operators, leaving Russian-linked networks among the most viable options.
Syria has significantly increased its oil imports from Russia, now reaching approximately 60,000 barrels per day, a 75% rise from previous levels. This surge underscores Syria's deepening economic reliance on Moscow, particularly as the country navigates a complex geopolitical landscape marked by its pivot towards the West.
Analysts suggest that while this relationship provides Syria with much-needed energy supplies, it simultaneously risks alienating the European Union and the United States, which have been critical of Damascus's ties to Moscow.
Syrian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have expressed concerns that this dependence could expose Syria's energy sector to renewed sanctions from Western powers. Furthermore, Syrian economist Karam Shaar has highlighted the precarious nature of this trade, warning that it may lead to vulnerabilities in the face of potential punitive measures.
Despite efforts to diversify its oil suppliers, including attempts to negotiate with Turkey, Syria has found limited success, largely due to ongoing financial constraints and the legacy of years of conflict.
As a result, Russian-linked networks remain among the most viable options for Syrian oil imports, reinforcing Moscow's influence in the region and complicating Syria's diplomatic relations with the West.
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