The Pakistani government has announced the first shipment of Russian crude oil under a deal between the countries had arrived.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday tweeted that "the first discounted cargo of Russian crude oil has arrived in Karachi." But it's unclear how much Pakistan paid.

Sharif also added that this represents "the beginning of a new relationship between Pakistan and Russian Federation."

Pakistan has long relied on Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia for its oil supplies, according to local media outlets.

Pakistan's economy has been in a dire situation in the aftermath of devastating flooding last year, as well as dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

Rising energy prices have made it difficult for Pakistan to import oil.

Experts say Pakistan has been getting closer to Russia, which has also been struggling under the economic sanctions imposed by Western countries over its invasion of Ukraine.