Russia has made more money selling fossil fuels since the war began in Ukraine than in peacetime, according to a new investigation.
The Energy and Clean Air Research Center found that Russia exported more coal, oil and gas in February than in January, and even more in March.
Although Russia has suffered heavy sanctions, it has still found a market ready for fossil fuels, which account for the majority of its exports.
Vladimir Putin’s Russia is still selling fossil fuels for more than before the start of the war. (AP)
Most of these exports were sold to the EU, which bought $ 86 billion worth of oil, gas and coal during the first 100 days of the war.
China, Turkey and India were other big buyers.
The war in Ukraine has created a profitable paradox for Russia.
A Russian tank passes by the wreckage of a car in Ukraine. (AP)
He has been forced to sell his oil at a discount because of sanctions, but rising world prices due to the war in Ukraine have meant that he is still earning much more than last year.
And despite the sanctions, most Russian oil is being transported to its markets on ships owned by EU nations, as well as the United Kingdom and Norway.
Major companies that have been buying Russian fossil fuels since the war began include Exxon, Shell, Total and Repsol.
Schwarzenegger criticized Europe through a video link to a conference in Vienna.
“The 1,300 missiles that Russia launched into Ukrainian cities during the first two months of the war cost 7.7 billion euros (11.6 billion dollars),” he said.
“But during that time, Europe sent 44 billion euros ($ 66 billion) to Russia for fuel.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger said Europe had blood on its hands buying Russian fossil fuels. (Twitter)
Despite growing up in Austria, he spoke at the conference in English.
“So, of course, the Russians are upset, they’re losing all their soldiers and they’re losing so much of their equipment, and the tanks and the planes and all that stuff,” he said.
“But they say, ‘Hey, at least we don’t have to pay for this war. The Europeans are sending us the money.’
“No matter how you look at it, we have blood on our hands, because we are financing the war.”
The war against Ukraine seems to have turned in Russia’s favor in recent weeks, with substantial territorial gains in the east of the country.
Children receive classes in explosives in Ukraine
Russian artillery is causing heavy losses to Ukrainian troops and causing immense damage to cities such as the besieged Sievierodonetsk.