Russia to send first diesel tanker to the US amid Trump deal

Russia to send first diesel tanker to the US amid Trump deal

The full report

Russia will send its first diesel tanker to the United States on Thursday, according to Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. The vessel will have 40,000 tonnes of fuel, but Novak did not name which US port the fuel would be delivered to. Russia lifted its ban on diesel exports on October 9, which Moscow originally put in place to tackle the country’s shortages as Ukrainian-led drone strikes hindered production capacity.

The shipment comes despite setbacks for Russia’s diesel output. Earlier this month, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence said that drone strikes knocked out at least half of Russia’s oil refining capacity, forcing cuts at Russia’s top diesel-producing refineries. Additional shipments will follow, of course, as agreed between the two leaders. Russia will meet the United States’ needs, to the extent of their capabilities, according to Novak.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff has been meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks in St Petersburg. Witkoff said that Russia would also be able to supply fertilisers in “large quantities” to the US market. US President Donald Trump had previously said that Moscow would export 300,000 tonnes, or 2.25 million barrels, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes “immediately thereafter”.

US consumers have continued to face high prices at the petrol station, particularly for diesel fuel, a pressing point as the country heads into midterm elections in less than two weeks. The average price for a gallon of diesel is $6.31 ($1.70 per litre), according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). While prices remain well over the $6 mark, they are on the downturn. The average price a month ago was $6.51.