OPEC’s Barkindo says warmer ties with Russia haven’t changed decision-making process for oil supplies

OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo said Tuesday that while his relationship with Russia is “strong,” the decision-making process at OPEChasn’t fundamentally changed, CNBC reports.

“The Russian federation has been a reliable and dependable bridge between OPEC and non-OPEC,” Barkindo said.

The OPEC leader said his organization had worked with Russian officials to “literally rescue” the oil industry from a downturn and many had doubted that oil supply caps could ever hold.

“There is now a very strong working bond between us and Russia, and this goes right up to the top, to the leadership,” he said.