"Despite some objective reasons, speculations are still the main reasons for rising oil prices. Since July of the last year, we have seen an increase in the cost of oil, although there are no economic grounds for this. There is no shortage of oil on the market. However, there is an agreement within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to maintain the trend of rising oil prices. Although it should be understood that the OPEC is no longer such a global player as before. Therefore, the growth of oil prices was affected to a much greater extent by the Russian-Saudi agreements. I think this is a major factor", - Gonchar said.

In his view, the United States made a mistake by suspending cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

"The United States made a mistake: US-Saudi cooperation has ceased to exist, and Russia used this. However, the fact that the US has become a global player in the oil market also has own influence on the situation. But if two countries agree on a joint game, the third will lose. The alliance of Russia and Saudi Arabia is most likely temporary, but it exists. In addition, we are witnessing another wave of instability in the Middle East. But I would not overestimate this factor. The situation was more affected by the activity of speculators. By the way, unlike Russia, which needs a strong Iran, Saudi Arabia is interested in weak Iran," - Gonchar said.

Oil price rose to a maximum of 2.5 years. According to the London Stock Exchange, on Jan. 4, the Brent crude traded at $ 68.23 per barrel.

On December 26, the Brent price exceeded $66 a barrel for the first time since 2015.