THE boss of BP said the oil major could play an important role as a bridge between Moscow and the West yesterday, as tensions rose in the Ukraine crisis.
It is the biggest foreign investor in Russia’s energy sector through its stake in state-controlled producer Rosneft.
Chief executive Bob Dudley said: “Clearly the situation in Ukraine is currently the focus of world attention.
“We will seek to pursue our business activities, mindful that mutual dependence between Russia, as an energy supplier, and Europe as an energy consumer has been an important source of security and engagement for both parties for many decades.
I think we play an important role and a bridge
Chief executive Bob Dudley
"I think we play an important role and a bridge.”
He was speaking at the firm’s annual shareholder meeting in London, where some investors voiced concerns that President Putin might seek to nationalise the business.
BP’s chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg defended a £5.2million pay package for Dudley – despite criticism that annual profits had fallen by 22 per cent.
He said executive awards were for long-term success and based not just on financial performance but also on safety, reputation and operations.
Investor Standard Life said it had voted in favour of boardroom pay proposals this year after rejecting them last time.
