Three Tankers Loaded with 500,000 Tonnes of Russian Diesel Sail for US Coast

Three tankers loaded with 500,000 metric tonnes of Russian diesel are currently moving toward the North American coast, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced on Friday. Novak stated that the first three vessels are already traveling to the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean, supported by the Russian Direct Investment Fund. This shipment is the initial phase of an arrangement under which Russian companies will supply fuel to US and global markets during October.

The deal was announced earlier this month by President Donald Trump. Under the terms, Russia agreed to export diesel to help lower global fuel prices. In exchange, Trump agreed to temporarily lift US sanctions on Russian fuel. Reuters reported that one of the vessels, the Malta-flagged tanker Agioi Fanendes, carries ultra-low sulphur diesel. The ship is expected to arrive in the United States on November 7.

The fuel shipments coincide with a new ceasefire agreement in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. The White House said on Friday that both sides will halt all military operations in the city starting October 27. This pause is intended to allow aid delivery and preparations for civilian evacuation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the US have agreed to hold technical-level meetings in Abu Dhabi during the first half of November.

Oleshky, located in southern Ukraine, has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. Residents report severe shortages of food, water, and electricity. An estimated 2,000 people remain in the city, with some surviving on weeds, boiled grass, and bread. Russian and Ukrainian officials both indicated that the sides were close to finalizing broader ceasefire terms.

The diplomatic push follows recent tensions between Washington and Kyiv. Trump noted on Friday that if Ukraine continued to face trouble accessing the Starlink communication system, he would address the issue and potentially raise it with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. In Europe, EU leaders urged UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase contributions to Ukraine's defense at a Brussels summit. The UK government is scheduled to present its first budget under Burnham's leadership next week.

The International Atomic Energy Agency announced on Friday that repairs to key power infrastructure near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are complete. The work was conducted under a temporary ceasefire brokered by the agency. Repairs strengthened the plant's connection to the Ferosplavna-1 external power line, reducing the risk of another loss of off-site electricity at Europe's largest nuclear power station.