NOVAK: MANY WANT TO BUY RUSSIAN OIL

MOSCOW, OCTOBER 17 /SRNA/ - Russia has no problems selling its oil, as many countries want to buy it, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said.

He added that the first tanker carrying Russian oil had already departed from the Russian Arctic port of Dikson.

"We have no problems when it comes to selling oil, and many countries are interested in becoming buyers. When a sale takes place, a contract is usually signed, and the oil goes to whoever needs it and offers the best terms," Novak told Russian media.

Novak also said that Russia was seeing interest among European consumers in Russian energy resources, as evidenced by recent calls in Germany to resume the use of Russian gas.

"Recently, an increasing number of politicians and countries have been saying that abandoning Russian gas, oil or petroleum products was a mistake. In the case of countries that have been granted exemptions, they are seeking to have those exemptions extended. In short, we are seeing clear interest in Russian energy resources," Novak stressed.