Russia to send first diesel cargo to US Thursday
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The gist
Russian Deputy PM Alexander Novak said the first 40,000-metric-ton diesel tanker would leave for the US Thursday.
The shipment follows a Trump-Putin deal and comes weeks before US midterms.
Background
Alexander Novak is Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, and Vladimir Putin is Russia's President. In an Oct. 9 phone call, US President Donald Trump and Putin agreed that Russia would supply diesel to the American and global markets; the US Treasury issued a temporary license letting Russian diesel through despite US sanctions, and Russia lifted its diesel export ban the same day. Trump wants to lower diesel prices weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with the average US price for a gallon at $6.31, down from $6.51 a month ago, according to AAA.
How it unfolded
- Oct 9, 2026Trump and Putin held a phone call and announced Russia and the US had agreed on Russian diesel supplies; the US Treasury issued a temporary license allowing Russian diesel onto the global market despite sanctions, and Russia lifted its diesel export ban.
- Oct 21, 2026Novak told reporters the first tanker with 40,000 metric tons (about 44,100 US tons) of diesel would leave for the US on Thursday, Oct. 22, without naming the port, supplier or tanker; he said the supply contract was in its final stage.
- Oct 21, 2026Putin, meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg, said the first tanker would sail in two to three days, revising the earlier Oct. 22 departure, and that more tankers would follow.
- Oct 21, 2026Novak said Russia could fully restore diesel export volumes by the end of the year, depending on refineries' capabilities.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Novak said the first tanker would leave as planned and more batches would follow, adding Russia will meet US needs to the extent of its capabilities; Putin said the financial component should be provided and floated large fertiliser supplies to the US.
- Official
- US special envoy Steve Witkoff said several vessels are being prepared and will go one after another.
- Caution
- US and European lawmakers warned the agreement will bolster the Kremlin's coffers for its war in Ukraine.
- Party
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Russia-US diesel deal an investment in war.
- Analysts
- Analysts said the deal is too limited to move prices meaningfully ahead of the US vote.
Still unverified
Novak did not identify the Russian port, the supplier, the tanker or the US delivery port; Putin did not announce a departure port or a US arrival date in the quoted remarks.