Moscow/London — President Vladimir Putin said Russia may agree to extend a deal with oil cartel Opec to curb oil supplies to the end of 2018, though he would wait to make a decision until nearer the end of the existing pact in March. "Based on the realities in March 2018, we will make our decision, but I do not rule out that we may extend" the agreement, Putin said at the Russian Energy Week conference in Moscow on Wednesday. "If we speak about a possible extension, then of course, it should be at least until the end of 2018." The comments are the strongest signal yet that the Kremlin is willing to redouble efforts to lift global energy prices, coming as Putin prepares to welcome King Salman Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to Russia for the first time this week. In September, energy minister Alexander Novak signalled willingness to prolong the cuts if needed, while also making clear the commitment wasn’t open-ended. Brent crude pared losses to reach an intraday high of $55.89 a barrel...
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