Kremlin: Oil price is important for Russia but the national interest comes first

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said that oil prices are crucial to the Russian budget and economy. However, Russian national interests come first, he added.

Peskov commented on remarks made by U.S. president Donald Trump who suggested that Vladimir Putin may be more inclined than usual to resolve the conflict with Ukraine due to the recent drop of oil prices.

Peskov stated that "oil prices cannot influence Russia's attitude to its national interests." "Russian national interests are more important than anything else and oil prices."

Peskov stated that Russia was working with OPEC+ in order to maintain prices at a level optimal.

Peskov stated that "the international oil price, of course, is an important factor in the budget formation for our country as well as for the Russian economy overall."

"It is still relevant and, as you may know, Russia has been working for a very long time in the OPEC+ format to keep prices at an ideal level. This work is ongoing because excessively high and low prices adversely impact the global economy.

Peskov responded that the United States and Russia are working together to reach a solution to the Ukraine conflict. (Reporting and writing by Dmitry Antonov; editing by Guy Faulconbridge).

(source: Reuters)