According to Novak, European countries purchased various types of energy worth a total of SEK 239 billion during the first nine months of 2026.
“In other words, despite sanctions-related restrictions, we continue to deliver resources in certain areas where exemptions have been granted,” Novak said on Russian television, claiming that oil exports could reach the same levels as before 2022 by the end of the year.
The EU has imposed a series of sanctions on Russia since February 2022. Despite this, several countries, including France, continue to buy energy from Moscow, particularly liquefied fossil gas.
Some countries, such as Slovakia and Hungary, can also buy Russian oil via pipelines under exemptions.
The figure does not include Russian oil reaching Europe via third countries such as India and Turkey, which, like China, have significantly increased their purchases of oil from Moscow since 2022.