Russia indicated on Wednesday that its first contracts to supply diesel to the United States could be signed in the coming days. The timing follows US President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel.
Trump last week announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin that would allow Russian diesel onto global markets. The aim is to curb fuel prices, which have surged since the Middle East war began. Energy prices have climbed worldwide since the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February, prompting Tehran to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas shipments.
Moscow outlines timing and volumes for diesel supplies
Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin’s special envoy on economic cooperation, was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying, “It will all happen in the next few days,” when asked when the first contracts might be signed. He said Russia was in “very close, hourly contact” with the American side.
Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Alexander Novak said Russian and American officials were working on supply contracts at both ministry and corporate levels. He said deliveries would reach global markets, including directly to the United States, and that Russian supplies could reach 3 to 3.5 million tonnes by the end of the year. That is the same level as before Western sanctions were imposed.
Novak maintained that this volume represented 10 percent of the global market and would help bring down energy prices.
Novak welcomes deal amid criticism from Ukraine and allies
Novak welcomed the agreement, saying it would generate additional tax revenue for the Russian budget and investment opportunities. He made the remarks at a time when Russian military spending has risen sharply since the start of its offensive in Ukraine in 2022.
The US-Russia diesel deal has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine and Western allies. Trump’s administration, however, has condemned what it called the “hypocrisy” of Europeans, accusing them of continuing to buy large quantities of Russian fossil fuels.
