Putin sees no obstacles to Opec reaching a deal soon

Lima

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin says he sees no obstacles to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) reaching an agreement later this month, and Russia is willing to freeze its crude oil output at current levels as he thinks that oil exporters have overcome major differences in their positions.

"Whether an agreement will be reached, I cannot say for one hundred per cent, but there is a strong likelihood that it will be achieved," Mr Putin told reporters on Sunday after he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima. "Main contradictions within Opec if not yet eliminated, they can be eliminated."