Russian diesel has started to be delivered to international markets following a recent agreement with US President Donald Trump, as confirmed by the Kremlin on Thursday. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, indicated that while these supplies could contribute to stabilising oil markets, they would not be adequate to achieve complete stability. Trump announced last week that Russia had consented to supply diesel to assist in lowering fuel prices globally.

Consequently, Moscow has partially lifted its ban on diesel exports, effective from October 10, in light of this agreement. Reports from financial data provider LSEG revealed that diesel export loadings from the Baltic port of Primorsk have resumed. A tanker carrying approximately 40,000 metric tonnes of ultra-low sulphur diesel was loaded on October 13 and is reportedly en route to Morocco.

Volume of Diesel Supplies Announced

On Friday, Trump stated that Russia would immediately supply over 300,000 metric tonnes, equivalent to 2.25 million barrels, of diesel to both US and global markets. Additionally, he mentioned that another 500,000 tonnes would be provided in November, followed by a further 1 million tonnes shortly thereafter.

However, this initial volume represents less than a day’s supply for the US transport sector, which consumes around 2.94 million barrels daily, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The total additional volumes announced by Trump would cover less than four days of demand for the US transport sector. This initiative appears to be part of Trump’s strategy to reduce diesel prices ahead of the upcoming midterm elections scheduled for November 3.

Criticism of the Agreement

The agreement has faced significant backlash from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European officials, and several Republican politicians within Trump’s own party. In response, Russia dismissed the European criticism as “cynical,” asserting that European nations continue to purchase Russian oil and liquefied natural gas. This deal emerges amidst ongoing tensions regarding efforts to establish an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

The Kremlin has accused Kyiv of undermining peace negotiations, particularly following a drone attack on an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region. Peskov stated that Moscow does not believe Kyiv has adhered to the energy ceasefire announced by Trump on Sunday. Ukraine had claimed to have paused strikes on Russian oil refineries for three days but resumed them after Russia continued its assaults on Ukrainian energy facilities.

According to reports from the Associated Press, the drone strike resulted in a fire at the Ryazan refinery, located approximately 300 kilometres southeast of Moscow. A senior Ukrainian official confirmed the attack, while Russian Defence Ministry and local officials also reported on the incident. Russia has previously indicated that the parameters of the energy ceasefire remain undefined. On Wednesday, it claimed to have targeted seven Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities.

The conflicting assertions regarding compliance with the ceasefire have not been independently verified. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy reported that Russia had launched over 850 drones at Ukraine from midnight until Thursday morning. Ukrainian Emergency Services confirmed that three individuals were killed and six others injured in a Russian drone strike on the central Kirovohrad region. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 536 Russian drones during the overnight operation.

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