27/10/2026
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27/10/2026
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MOSCOW, Oct 27: Russia expects a fourth tanker carrying diesel fuel for the United States to depart on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday, following a supply deal announced earlier this month by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow, Novak said three tankers had already been dispatched, with the fourth expected to leave on Oct 28.
“There are currently three ships. The fourth has not yet departed. We expect it on the 28th,” he said.
Novak criticized US Democrats who oppose the deal, saying their position did not serve the interests of American residents.
Russia offers to resume gas supplies to Europe
Novak said Russia was ready to resume natural gas supplies to Europe if European countries wanted them, adding that Moscow could redirect its gas to other markets if Europe declined to buy.
He said Russia had developed infrastructure to supply countries with growing energy demand and argued that Europe’s refusal to buy Russian gas would create problems for European consumers rather than for Moscow.
He also said Russian pipeline gas was cheaper for China than liquefied natural gas (LNG), which involves higher costs and longer transportation routes.
On the future of the Nord Stream pipelines, Novak said they were likely to remain strategically important to Europe and Russia in the long term.
Trump announced expanded diesel supply plan
Earlier this month, Trump announced a diesel supply agreement following a phone call with Putin. Under the reported arrangement, Russia agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the United States and global markets.
Trump said Russia would provide another 500,000 tons in November, followed by 1 million tons “immediately thereafter” and an additional 3 million tons “within a short period,” depending on the condition of Russian diesel refineries.
Putin said the supplies would benefit the global economy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the deal, warning that easing restrictions on Russian diesel exports could help finance Moscow’s war effort.
