Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia will ship its first diesel cargo to the United States on 13 November, marking the start of implementation of an agreement between Moscow and US President Donald Trump. The shipment totals 40,000 tonnes, though Novak did not name the receiving port in the US.
The announcement comes after Russia lifted a ban on diesel exports on 9 October. The ban had been imposed to address domestic shortages, as drone attacks led by Ukraine eroded production capacity.
The exports are proceeding despite difficulties with Russia's diesel output. Earlier this month, Ukraine's Defense Ministry claimed that drone strikes had disabled at least half of Russia's refining capacity, forcing leading diesel-producing refineries to cut output.
"Of course there will be further shipments. There are agreements between the two leaders. We will meet US demand within our capabilities," Novak was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
US envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, echoed the point. He said the two sides are preparing tanker shipments that will follow one another, while stressing that financing must be secured. According to Witkoff, Russia could also supply fertilizer to the US market in "large volumes."
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said Moscow would export 300,000 tonnes, equivalent to 2.25 million barrels, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes "shortly thereafter."
American consumers still face high fuel prices at the pump, especially for diesel, with the country heading into midterm elections in less than two weeks. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average diesel price is $6.31 per gallon, or about $1.70 per liter; the figure remains above $6 despite falling from $6.51 a gallon a month ago.
