Russia crude exports remain near peak levels despite US pressure

Russia’s seaborne crude exports have stayed near a 16‑month high, with average daily shipments holding steady at 3.62 million barrels over the past four weeks. In the most recent week, 36 tankers moved 26.75 million barrels of Russian crude, up from 23.69 million the week before, and the total value of exports in the week to September 28 rose by $240 million to $1.57 billion. The redirection of oil from Russian refineries damaged by Ukrainian drone strikes may be helping to sustain these volumes, although export‑terminal capacity could become a limiting factor if strikes intensify.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempts to pressure global buyers to halt imports from Moscow, the flow of Russian oil has shown little impact. The United States has been urging countries such as the EU, India and China to stop purchasing Russian oil, framing the effort as a means to advance a potential Ukraine peace settlement. Moscow, however, has criticized Washington’s “strong‑arm” tactics, arguing that sovereign nations have the right to choose their trade partners.

India has faced particular pressure, with the United States imposing a 25 % punitive tariff on the country in August. New Delhi has rejected the measure, calling Washington’s policy economic coercion and refusing to scale back Russian imports. China has also taken a firm stance; its Ministry of Commerce reaffirmed intentions to deepen energy cooperation with Russia and pledged to defend Chinese interests as the U.S. pushes G7 nations to impose 100 % tariffs on Chinese imports.

European buyers such as Hungary and Slovakia, which rely on pipeline shipments, have cited economic and logistical obstacles to ending Russian oil imports. Turkish imports have remained steady as well, averaging around 300,000 barrels per day.

The persistence of Russian crude exports despite U.S. pressure underscores the complexities of global energy trade. As countries navigate their relationships with Russia and the United States, oil flows continue to play a significant role in international relations, with likely implications for global energy markets and geopolitical tensions.