ISTANBUL
- Deputy premier says Russia ready to supply additional diesel fuel to US as early as October, with perhaps more in November and December
Russian President Vladimir Putin, following a call with US President Donald Trump, said Friday that Russia selling diesel supplies to US and global markets would benefit the world economy.
A Kremlin statement said Putin indicated that the two leaders discussed the global energy sector, prospects for resolving the Ukraine war, the situation on Iran, and bilateral relations.
“In discussing the state of the global energy sector, the Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to supply oil and petroleum products to the US and global markets. I am confident that this will have a positive impact on the global economy as a whole,” said Putin.
The statement said the conversation devoted “significant attention” to prospects for resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Putin also said the two leaders reaffirmed an agreement to maintain personal contacts and continue cooperation between their presidential administrations, intelligence agencies, and other government bodies.
Putin’s remarks followed Trump’s announcement of what he described as a “highly successful discussion” with the Russian president.
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the talks resulted in an agreement for Russia to “immediately supply” more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to US and global markets.
According to Trump, Russia would supply another 500,000 tons of diesel fuel in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter.”
He added that another 3 million tons would be delivered “within a short period,” depending on the condition of Russian diesel refineries.
‘Positive’
After Putin’s statements, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told the state-run Tass news agency: “Russia views positively the steps taken by the United States to stabilize the global energy market and gradually restore normal energy trade, and stands ready to coordinate future actions aimed at creating a more predictable and healthy market.”
Novak said Russia is ready to supply additional diesel fuel to the US market as early as this month, and that diesel exports in November and December may increase as the country’s refineries recover from repairs.
“In the long term, the volume could rise to 3 million tons per month,” he said, adding that Russia will also immediately begin to lift its restrictions on diesel exports ahead of schedule.
He said the Russian market will also be fully supplied with diesel.
