Russia may buy aluminium for state stocks to support Rusal

Russia has a plan to support world No.2 aluminium producer Rusal against US sanctions put in place in April, including by purchasing the metal for state stocks, Industry Minister Denis Manturov told reporters on Tuesday.

The US Treasury Department placed Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska and Rusal, which he controls, on a blacklist that month, freezing the bulk of the company's exports, paralysing its supply chain and scaring off many customers.