'No misunderstanding over Russian oil'

Envoy says order for oil placed in consultation with Washington

WASHINGTON:

There is no misunderstanding between the United States and Pakistan over Islamabad’s move to buy discounted Russian oil, announced Pakistan’s Ambassador Masood Khan while underscoring that the Islamabad-Washington relationship reset is “transcending the past.” “We have placed first order for Russian oil, and this has been done in consultation with the US government.

There’s no misunderstanding between Washington and Islamabad on this count,” he said in response to a question. He was speaking at a conference organised by the Wilson Centre’s South Asia Institute, a Washingtonbased think tank, on the future of relations between the two countries. The questioner suggested that energy purchase from Russia could adversely impact Pakistan’s already difficult relationship with the US. “They (US) have suggested that you are free to buy anything below or up to the price cap (set by G7 nations), and we have abided by that agreement,” the envoy said, adding “I think Washington is fine with that.”