China increased its crude oil imports from Russia by 1% in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching a record level. Imports from Saudi Arabia fell by 9%, Reuters reports. According to China's General Administration of Customs,

Imports of Russian crude oil to China reached a record high in 2024, rising by 1% compared to 2023, Reuters reported on Jan. 20. The Russian fossil fuel industry is the primary economic driver of Moscow's full-scale war against Ukraine.

China, the world's top coal importer, bought less Russian coal in 2024 while increasing purchases from other key suppliers, led by Australia, during a record year for coal imports, customs data showed on Monday.

World leaders have been rushing to get on Donald Trump’s good side since his reelection as US president, arguably none more so than Ukraine.

Whether Donald Trump has a peace plan for Ukraine, what problems his team has faced and what its priorities will be, and whether negotiations to end the war will eventually begin – read in the RBC-Ukraine's article.