Major Chinese state oil companies have suspended purchases of Russian oil after the United States imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscow’s two biggest oil companies, multiple sources told Reuters , signalling Washington’s tough stance on Russian crude exports to pressure the country into halting its war against Ukraine.

Chinese national oil companies PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC and Zhenhua have decided to refrain from dealing in seaborne Russian oil at least in the short-term due to concerns over US sanctions, according to the sources.

Unipec, the trading arm of Sinopec, had stopped purchasing Russian oil last week after the UK sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as shadow fleet ships and Chinese entities – including a major Chinese refiner – two sources informed Reuters.

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