Russia says its diesel exports may exceed volumes announced by Trump

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that Russia's diesel exports could surpass the volumes initially announced by US President Donald Trump under a recent deal. Novak, who is also President Vladimir Putin's point man on oil, made these remarks on Rossiya-24 state TV channel. The deal, which has faced criticism from Ukraine and some US lawmakers, allows Russia to return diesel exports to pre-crisis levels - approximately 3.0-3.5 million metric tonnes per month by the end of the year.

Prior to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia's diesel exports reached over 3 million metric tonnes per month. However, recent Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries have significantly reduced these exports. Despite a self-imposed sale ban, Russia has continued supplying diesel to Central Asian countries under separate government deals. In November alone, Russian diesel exports to Central Asia totaled 427,000 metric tonnes.

The deal is expected to alleviate soaring US diesel prices, which are affecting US truckers and farmers, especially as midterm elections approach on November 3. Trump's representatives informed Ukrainian officials last Friday that the Russian diesel deal was part of a strategy to encourage Russia to return to negotiations following the failure of previous peace talks.

The deal has been met with opposition from some US lawmakers, who argue that it allows Moscow to fund its ongoing war efforts without requiring concessions from Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly opposes the deal, calling it a reversal of Western policy aimed at isolating Russia's economy. He emphasized that Russian strikes against multiple energy targets during their latest wave of airstrikes in Ukraine demonstrate that Moscow has no interest in an energy ceasefire.