Russia will send its first tanker of diesel fuel to the United States on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, citing agreements reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
The vessel will carry 40,000 tonnes of fuel, but Russia has not identified the US destination, Al Jazeera reported. Novak said further shipments would follow, while US special envoy Steve Witkoff said several tankers were being prepared. Witkoff also said Russia could supply fertilisers to the US in large quantities.
The announcement follows Moscow’s lifting of a diesel-export ban on October 9. Russia had introduced the restriction to address domestic shortages, while Ukrainian drone strikes had disrupted refining capacity, according to the report. The first shipment’s recipient and the timing of any subsequent cargoes remain undisclosed.
The fuel arrangement was reported alongside other developments in US-Russia engagement. A separate Al Jazeera report said the Trump administration had secured the release of American Stephen Hubbard during Witkoff’s visit to Russia. It also reported that Trump had waived sanctions imposed under legislation supporting Ukraine. Those actions were seen as beneficial to Moscow, while Ukraine said the administration’s policies had rewarded Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The available reporting establishes a planned shipment and statements by Russian and US officials; it does not establish that the tanker has arrived, identify its recipient or confirm the scale of future deliveries.