500,000 tonnes of Russian diesel to reach US markets this month

500,000 metric tonnes of Russian fuel are set to reach American and global markets in October under a new trade arrangement. Alexander Novak, the Russian deputy prime minister, confirmed the deal on Friday. He stated that the first three vessels are already moving toward the eastern Atlantic coast. Novak noted that the Russian Direct Investment Fund is supporting the logistics of the shipment.

The agreement was announced by US President Donald Trump earlier this month. The terms require Russia to supply diesel to lower global fuel prices. In exchange, the US has temporarily removed sanctions on Russian fuel. Reuters identified one of the ships as the Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes. The vessel is carrying ultra-low sulphur diesel. It is scheduled to arrive in the United States on 7 November.

This energy deal is unfolding alongside a shift in military operations. The White House announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to stop fighting in Oleshky, a city in southern Ukraine. The city has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. Residents there face severe shortages of food, water, and electricity. An estimated 2,000 people are currently in the city. Some survivors are reportedly eating weeds and boiled grass due to limited rations. Both sides will halt military actions in Oleshky starting 27 October to allow aid delivery and civilian evacuations.

Diplomatic efforts are also accelerating. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that technical meetings between Ukraine, Russia, and the US are planned for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi. A US official indicated that another meeting might occur within a few weeks, possibly in Switzerland. Zelenskyy expressed hope that a summit of national leaders will follow these technical sessions. These talks come after a recent disagreement between Washington and Kyiv. This rift was marked by US restrictions on the Starlink communication system used by Ukraine for defense. Trump said he would resolve any access issues, potentially by speaking directly with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

European allies are also involved in supporting Ukraine. EU leaders met in Brussels to ask UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham for greater defense contributions. The UK is set to release its first budget under Burnham’s leadership next week. EU officials also urged Canada and Japan to increase their support. On the infrastructure front, the IAEA reported that repairs to power lines near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant are finished. These repairs secure the Ferosplavna-1 line, reducing the risk of power loss at Europe’s largest nuclear station.