$2 Billion of Russian Oil Sold to EU, US, and Bulgaria Through Turkish Refineries

In the first half of 2024, Western allies, including Bulgaria, the European Union and the United States, purchased around 2 billion dollars worth of oil products from Turkey that were refined from Russian crude oil, according to a report by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) and the Center for Energy and Clean Air (CREA). This trade continues despite sanctions, due to a loophole allowing Russian oil to enter these markets after being refined in another country, such as Turkey.

The report highlights that Russia’s oil and gas sector provided 32% of its federal budget in 2023, making it a crucial source of revenue for the Kremlin....