Three Tankers Carry Half a Million Tonnes of Russian Diesel to US Coast

Russian energy policy is shifting as a new fuel agreement takes effect between Moscow and Washington. On Friday, Alexander Novak, the Russian deputy prime minister, announced that three tankers loaded with Russian diesel are currently en route to North America. Novak stated that these shipments fulfill a specific arrangement allowing Russian companies to deliver 500,000 metric tonnes of fuel to US and global markets during October.

Novak told Russian news agencies that the first three vessels are traveling toward the Atlantic Ocean coast with support from the Russian Direct Investment Fund. This deal was announced earlier this month by US President Donald Trump. Under the terms, Russia supplies diesel to help lower global fuel prices, and the US temporarily lifts sanctions on Russian fuel in return.

Reuters reported that one of the ships, the Malta-flagged medium tanker Agioi Fanendes, carries ultra-low sulphur diesel. The vessel is scheduled to arrive in the United States on 7 November. The movement of these tankers marks the first physical transfer of fuel under the new sanctions relief framework.

In related diplomatic developments, the White House confirmed that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire in Oleshky, a city in southern Ukraine occupied by Russia since February 2022. Both sides will halt military operations in the city starting 27 October. This pause aims to allow humanitarian aid delivery and facilitate the evacuation of an estimated 2,000 remaining residents who face severe shortages of food, water, and electricity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that technical-level meetings between Ukraine, Russia, and the US are set for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi. A US official indicated that further discussions could occur in a few weeks, potentially in Switzerland. Zelenskyy expressed hope that a leaders' summit would follow these technical talks.

The diplomatic efforts follow recent tensions between Washington and Kyiv, including US limits on the Starlink communication system used by Ukrainian defenses. Trump stated on Friday that he would resolve any remaining access issues with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk if necessary. Meanwhile, EU leaders urged UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase contributions to Ukraine's defense at a summit in Brussels.

The International Atomic Energy Agency also announced on Friday that repairs to power infrastructure near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant were completed under a temporary ceasefire. These repairs strengthened the plant's connection to the Ferosplavna-1 power line, reducing the risk of losing external electricity at Europe's largest nuclear station.