Reuters says Syria has agreed to sharply cut Russian oil imports in sanctions talks with Washington

Reuters reported on Tuesday 4 August 2026, citing three people familiar with the matter, that Damascus has agreed to sharply reduce its oil imports from Russia as part of ongoing talks with the United States on lifting the last major sanctions against Syria.

According to the report, Russian crude shipments to Syria have risen 75% this year to about 60,000 barrels a day. That is a small share of Russia's daily oil exports but makes Moscow Syria's main crude supplier. A Syrian source, a US official and a third person said senior officials in Damascus have told Washington in recent months that they are willing to make the cut, while the two sides discuss removing Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.

None of the sources gave details on the timing of the shift or on alternative crude suppliers. A Syrian energy official told Reuters that Damascus is currently looking for new suppliers and that a fundamental change is expected.