The expert told about the factors of oil price increase

At the moment, there are many factors contributing to oil prices. Among them are voluntary restrictions on supplies by OPEC+ members, as well as instability in the Middle East region. Alexander Zaitsev, CEO of Atomic Capital, told Izvestia on January 22.

"I would not take seriously the pre-election promises of US President Donald Trump regarding the reduction of the price of Brent oil to $40 per barrel. At the time, such statements were a way to influence the electorate, to increase the loyalty of certain groups," Zaitsev explained.

According to him, cheap oil is as unprofitable for the United States as it is for Russia, so Donald Trump's policy will include efforts to keep energy prices down, regardless of what he says.

According to the specialist, energy market participants are focused on the US because of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the alleged "tariff war", which makes short-term forecasts difficult. Decisions in this area could unbalance international trade and affect the global energy market, so it could be argued that participants are waiting for clear decisions.

"The peak of Brent growth on the wave of sanctions, which came on January 15, has been passed, and after reaching $82.25 per barrel, the price began to correct. So far it is moving around the resistance level of $80 per barrel, where it will remain without new inputs. If their release will be delayed, a pullback to the level of $75 per barrel is possible in February", - summarized Zaitsev.

Earlier, on January 13, Bloomberg reported that oil reached a five-month high after the introduction of the U.S. large-scale sanctions against Russia. Brent oil is trading above $80 per barrel.