Russia to send first diesel tanker to the US under Putin–Trump fuel deal

Russia is dispatching its first diesel tanker to the United States on Thursday as part of a fuel-supply agreement between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

• Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced the 40,000-tonne vessel will depart Thursday for an undisclosed US port.
• Novak said further shipments will follow under the Putin-Trump agreement, adding Russia will meet US needs "to the extent of our capabilities."
• Novak said Russia could resume gas supplies to Europe through one functioning Nord Stream line if European nations, chiefly Germany, request them.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had previously banned strikes on Russian refineries but confirmed that ban no longer stands.
• Russia lifted its diesel export ban on October 9, imposed to secure domestic supply after Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries.
• Putin said global diesel prices had fallen 5–6 percent since the fuel agreement was reached.
• Putin said Russia could also supply large amounts of fertilizer to the US market.
• The shipment is part of a promised series totaling over one million tonnes of diesel fuel.
• The announcement came during a visit by US envoy Steve Witkoff to St Petersburg.
• Analysts said the volumes are too small to meaningfully affect US supply, with lasting relief depending on refinery rebuilding and global conditions.