Novak: Russia to begin importing fuel from July, discussed possible discounts with Russian Railways to make imports economically viable

MOSCOW. July 8 (Interfax) - Russia will begin importing fuel in July and has done work to arrange possible discounted rail tariffs in order to create the necessary economic conditions for this, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said at a meeting led by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Novak said that fuel imports were one of the planned measures to ensure the sufficient supply of fuel to the domestic market.

"We are also beginning to import petroleum products in July and growing additional production to include petroleum products with a lower ecological class. We have extended the zero import duty on petroleum products and additives for another year. And we have also discussed the possibility of discounts on rail transportation tariffs with RZD, in order to create economic conditions for fuel imports," Novak said.