Russia snagged $24 billion in just three months from its energy sales to India and China, report says
Business InsiderDec 29, 2022
The Facts
In the three months following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China and India have reportedly bought $24B of Russian oil, gas, and coal, mitigating punitive measures imposed by the US and Europe.
China spent $18.9B on Russian energy, nearly doubling last year's amount, while India purchased $5.1B in the same period - more than five times the value of a year ago.
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
The West has failed miserably in its attempt to bring Russia to its knees through economic warfare, under the guise of supporting Ukraine. This is also because it refuses to acknowledge that a multipolar world beyond its control has long since emerged. Washington and its allies, with their hubris toward Russia, are causing massive damage not only to themselves but to the entire world.
Anti-Russia narrative
Yes, standing up to Putin's neo-imperial appetite requires sacrifices. But contrary to Kremlin propaganda, the sanctions are having a significant social impact in Russia. This makes it all the more important for the West to ensure the sustainability of its strategy of backing Ukraine against Russian aggression for as long as it takes. It's crucial to enshrine existing sanctions in legislation and to tighten up international solidarity for implementing them.
Establishment-critical narrative
It's hypocritical to impose sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, but not on the US for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons, or on Israel for invading and annexing Arab lands.