Russia Resumes Diesel Exports as First Shipment Heads to Morocco Under Trump Deal
Russia has resumed diesel export shipments to global markets following an agreement with US President Donald Trump, with a tanker carrying around 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low-sulphur diesel departing from the Baltic port of Primorsk for Morocco.
The latest development was confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on October 15, who said Russian diesel had begun reaching global markets and could help stabilize energy prices, although the additional supply would not be enough to fully stabilize them.
The move follows a series of developments over the past week:
On October 9, Trump announced that Russia had agreed to supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets, followed by 500,000 tons in November and another 1 million tons afterward. Washington also issued a temporary authorization allowing transactions involving Russian diesel.
On October 10, Russia partially lifted its restrictions on diesel exports, opening the way for shipments to resume.
On October 12, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the country could increase diesel exports to between 3 million and 3.5 million metric tons per month by the end of the year.
By October 13, shipping data showed that a tanker carrying approximately 40,000 tons of diesel had been loaded at Primorsk. The shipment was reported publicly on October 14, before the Kremlin confirmed on October 15 that exports had restarted.
The agreement is intended to ease pressure on fuel prices amid global energy supply disruptions. However, the initial shipment represents only a small share of US diesel consumption, and its impact on prices remains uncertain.
The deal has drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European officials and some US Republicans, who argue that renewed Russian fuel revenue could benefit Moscow while its war against Ukraine continues.