“Our objective has been to achieve 100 million tons” of LNG output annually, Novak stated in an interview with a state TV channel released Thursday. “Evidently, because of the sanctions, there will be a postponement of several years” in reaching this goal, he noted, without specifying a timeline.
Initially, Russia aimed to produce 100 million tons of super-chilled fuel by 2030, achieving a 20% share of the global market. However, several rounds of energy sanctions, including those targeting LNG, have been imposed by Western nations, including the US, in an effort to cut off the Kremlin’s war funding in Ukraine.
The US has banned all existing and future Russian liquefied-gas projects, except for the Yamal LNG operated by Novatek PJSC, and has sanctioned the fleet used for transporting the super-chilled fuel internationally. Nevertheless, discounted sanctioned cargoes have recently found a market in China, which does not adhere to the Western restrictions.
Last month, Russia became the top LNG supplier to China, surpassing Australia.
According to Interfax, citing data from the Federal Statistical Service, Russia produced nearly 30 million tons of LNG in the first 11 months of 2025, as reported on Thursday.
(Edited by : Sheersh Kapoor)
