The Ministry of Energy pointed to the desire of many Western oil and gas companies to return to Russia

Many Western oil and gas companies are ready to return to Russia, but are afraid of possible sanctions. Sergey Tsivilev, head of the Russian Energy Ministry, told reporters on February 24.

"Many want to return, but they are afraid that sanctions will be imposed on them. If these sanctions were lifted, a huge number would rush to our market immediately," TASS quoted him as saying.

At the same time, Tsivilev specified that even after the return of Western companies, Russia will not lose its domestic technological sovereignty thanks to the state's adaptation to the sanctions.

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Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia may consider settlements in dollars for oil if the United States is interested in it. He also said that the country has largely adapted to the sanctions.

Earlier, on February 20, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said that only those foreign companies that Russia deems necessary for itself will be allowed to enter the Russian market. At the same time, he noted that domestic companies and brands from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) would be given absolute priority in the most important sectors for technological sovereignty.