Russia to send first diesel cargo of 40,000 tonnes to US on Thursday

Russia will dispatch its first tanker with diesel for the United States on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said, according to the Vedomosti news outlet, after a deal with US President Donald Trump.

Russia lifted its self-imposed ban on diesel exports on 9 October, introduced to tackle domestic shortages triggered by Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries, after reaching the deal with Trump to supply diesel to global markets.

Novak said on Wednesday the vessel will carry 40,000 metric tons of the fuel, adding that the paperwork on the fuel supply is nearing its completion, according to media reports. He did not name the port from which the cargo will be delivered.

"Additional shipments will follow, of course. There were agreements reached between the two leaders. We will meet the United States' needs, to the extent of our capabilities," RIA news agency quoted Novak as saying.

Trump has said Russia would immediately export 300,000 metric tons, or 2.25 million barrels, followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons "immediately thereafter".

The US exports about 1.5 million barrels of diesel per day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was hosting US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday, after the US-Russia diesel export deal led to a sharp deterioration in ties between the United States and Ukraine.

During the talks in St Petersburg, Witkoff thanked Putin for lifting the export restrictions. Putin also mentioned the deal, saying that diesel prices dropped after the agreement.