The first tanker carrying 40,000 tonnes of Russian diesel fuel is reportedly set to depart for the United States.
The ship will carry 40,000 metric tons of diesel, Russian president Vladimir Putin said during talks with US president’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Putin told Witkoff on Wednesday that the first tanker would depart in two to three days and that others would follow one after another.
He also said the financial arrangements are needed to be finalised for the shipments to proceed ‘smoothly’.
He did not announce a departure port or an arrival date in the US in the quoted remarks.
“We are currently preparing shipments – several vessels, tankers. The first tanker, carrying 40,000 tonnes, will depart in two or three days, and the others will follow in succession. The only important thing now is to finalise the financial arrangements so that everything proceeds smoothly,” Putin said.
Putin’s subsequent estimate of two-to-three days indicates instead a departure around Oct. 23-24.
Russian media reported that both sides are finalizing contracts for diesel fuel supplies, with the first tanker loaded with Russian diesel fuel set to leave for the United States on Thursday, October 22.
The diesel is designated for both the global and US markets, amidst international energy concerns.
The development follows recent talks between Washington and Moscow, where the Ukraine crisis and global energy developments were key topics.
Putin said world diesel prices fell 5%-6% immediately after the announcement by both sides that supplies would be delivered to the United States.
Moscow’s diesel exports are gradually recovering in line with refineries’ capabilities, deputy prime minister Alexander Novak told reporters, adding that supplies to other countries toward year-end would depend on plant capacity.
The contract-signing process is nearing completion, he noted.
“We are not fully restoring exports at this stage, but operating within the limits of our refineries’ capabilities. Therefore, if we can only return to full [export] volumes by the end of the year according to the schedule, other countries will also receive the volumes they were getting previously at that point. It will depend on the volumes we can supply beyond the needs of the United States. I think other countries will also receive diesel,” he said when asked about export destinations, according to TASS news agency.
