Narrative of Taiwan's 'record' Russian oil purchases aims to disrupt aid to Ukraine

Western and Ukrainian press have circulated reports suggesting that Taiwan has become the largest importer of Russian oil despite joining Western sanctions against Russia. These reports cite a study released on Wednesday by the Finnish Energy and Clean Air Research Centre, in collaboration with a consortium of European, Russian, and Taiwanese NGOs.

According to the study, in the first half of 2025, Taiwan imported Russian oil worth $1.3 billion, with average monthly imports nearly six times higher than the 2022 average.

However, as the Consortium for Defense Information explained to Espreso, Taiwan did indeed become the world’s largest importer of Russian naphtha, but this does not mean it became the largest importer of Russian oil. There is a major difference between naphtha and crude oil. Naphtha is a light distillate or fraction derived from crude oil or condensate, used in the production of chemicals needed for semiconductors. Crude oil, by contrast, is unrefined oil that requires processing and refining. Therefore, the claim that Taiwan is the largest importer of Russian oil is inaccurate if “oil” is interpreted as crude oil.

Of course, purchasing even a derivative rather than crude oil seems controversial against the backdrop of Taiwan’s support for Ukraine in the war with Russia. Recently, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung signed an agreement in Poland to provide aid to Ukrainian children affected by Russia’s invasion. However, it’s important to note that the government does not control private companies, which are the ones buying these petroleum products. For example, state-owned enterprises like Taipower and Chinese Petroleum Corporation successfully stopped purchasing Russian coal and oil as early as mid-2024, while the private company Formosa Petrochemical Corporation (FPCC) increased its dependence on Russian oil from 9% before the full-scale invasion to 90% in the first half of 2025.

Taiwan imports about 97% of its energy needs, which is a major factor, according to the Consortium for Defense Information. Even though Taiwan joined international sanctions against Moscow after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and implemented export controls to prevent its high-tech equipment from being used by Russian military forces, the government did not restrict purchases of Russian fossil fuels. Importing energy from Russia continues to help finance Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The Consortium notes that expert opinions differ on the matter. For example, The Guardian quotes John Lough, head of foreign policy at the Center for New Eurasian Studies: “It appears to be opportunism by Taiwan’s petrochemical industry,” he says. “Even if money from Taiwan helps fill the Kremlin’s coffers, it is exaggerated to assume Russia would want or be able to provide military support to China if China increases pressure on Taiwan.”

The information on large-scale petroleum product purchases will undoubtedly be used in Taiwan’s domestic political struggle, the Consortium notes, particularly by opposition forces against the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and President Lai Ching-te. For Ukraine, this is significant because this domestic struggle could influence Taiwan’s stance on our country, including its support for Ukraine.