Witkoff thanks Putin for diesel export decision at St Petersburg talks
In short
US special envoy Steve Witkoff thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin on behalf of Donald Trump for the decision on the diesel deal, at a meeting in St Petersburg on 21 October. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said the two men paid considerable attention to implementing the diesel agreements reached by Putin and Trump on 9 October. Putin also asked Witkoff to pass on appreciation to Melania Trump.
Read the full story 2 min read
US special envoy Steve Witkoff thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin on behalf of US President Donald Trump for the decision on the diesel deal, TASS, RIA Novosti, Vedomosti and Kommersant reported on 21 October. Vedomosti said Witkoff spoke at a meeting with Putin at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St Petersburg. Kommersant said he had arrived in the city that day from Oslo. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
RIA Novosti quoted Witkoff as thanking Putin for the decision to lift sanctions that concerned diesel exports, so that the fuel could be sold not only in the United States but on world markets. "This is really very good, since the whole world is going through a period of economic shock," Witkoff said, according to Vedomosti and RIA Novosti. He added that the US president was extremely grateful for the decision. [ 2 , 3 ]
Interfax cited presidential aide Yuri Ushakov as saying the talks covered the implementation of agreements on supplying Russian diesel to American and world markets, reached by Putin and Trump in a phone call on 9 October. According to Ushakov, Putin and Witkoff noted that these agreements meet bilateral interests and will help stabilise the energy market. Interfax reported that the meeting lasted about three hours. [ 7 , 12 , 14 ]
Vedomosti gave background on the deal. It said Trump stated that Russia would immediately deliver more than 300,000 tonnes, a further 500,000 tonnes during November and then 1 million tonnes, and that the US finance ministry issued general licence No. 135, allowing transactions with Russian diesel until 7 April 2027. It said Trump thanked Putin on 10 October, calling the deal very large, and that presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said a day later that Russia could sell diesel on world markets without problems. On 21 October, Vedomosti said, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak reported that a 40,000-tonne tanker with Russian diesel for the US was planned to leave port on 22 October. [ 3 ]
Ushakov also said Putin asked Witkoff to pass on best wishes to Trump, noting Russia's interest in continuing joint work, including through the channels of the relevant agencies and special services. Kommersant reported that Putin passed his thanks to Donald and Melania Trump for their attention to the Ukraine settlement. Quoting Putin, it said that in their last phone call Trump stressed the need to end the conflict, having in mind above all the losses. [ 5 , 15 ]
According to Ushakov, as reported by Interfax, Putin asked Witkoff to convey appreciation to US first lady Melania Trump for her humanitarian efforts, in particular reuniting children with their families, and for mediating over the acute situation in the Russian city of Aleshki in the Kherson region. TASS reported that Witkoff promised to pass Putin's best wishes to Melania Trump. Later in the day, RIA Novosti and RBC reported that Dmitriev said Moscow noted her work, and RBC said she was actively engaged with Russia on reuniting children with parents separated in the Ukraine conflict. [ 6 , 12 , 16 , 17 ]
Why it matters
The documents present the diesel agreement as a point of contact between Moscow and Washington, with both sides quoted as saying it serves bilateral interests and helps stabilise the energy market. Russian outlets also report that humanitarian questions and Ukraine were raised, but the documents give no detail of any outcome on them.
Key facts
- Steve Witkoff thanked Vladimir Putin on behalf of Donald Trump for the decision on the diesel deal, at a meeting on 21 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The meeting took place at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St Petersburg and lasted about three hours, according to Interfax. [ 2 , 3 , 12 ]
- Putin and Trump agreed on 9 October on deliveries of Russian diesel fuel to American and world markets. [ 2 , 14 ]
- Ushakov said Putin and Witkoff noted that the diesel agreements meet bilateral interests and will help stabilise the energy market. [ 9 , 14 ]
- Putin asked Witkoff to convey appreciation to Melania Trump for her humanitarian efforts, including reuniting children with families, and for mediation over the situation in Aleshki, Kherson region, Ushakov said. [ 12 ]
- Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said a tanker with Russian diesel for the US was planned to leave port on 22 October, Vedomosti reported. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Witkoff thanked Putin on behalf of Trump for the decision on the diesel deal. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The talks were held on 21 October at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St Petersburg. [ 2 , 3 , 12 ]
- Ushakov said the talks gave attention to implementing the diesel agreements reached by Putin and Trump in a phone call on 9 October. [ 7 , 14 ]
- Putin asked Witkoff to convey appreciation to Melania Trump. [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]
- Putin asked Witkoff to pass best wishes to Trump. [ 8 , 10 , 15 ]
Still unclear
- Where the talks took place. Interfax's summary says the talks were held in Moscow, while RIA Novosti, Vedomosti and Interfax's other report say the Konstantinovsky Palace in St Petersburg.
- Whether the diesel shipments are under way. Vedomosti cites Novak saying a first tanker of 40,000 t was planned to leave port on 22 October; no document confirms departure.
- The mention of the release of American Stephen Hubbard. Kommersant's text mentions the release of Hubbard, which Trump had earlier asked for, but the passage is incomplete and does not say what was said or decided.
- Details of the situation in Aleshki, Kherson region. Ushakov described it as an acute situation and thanked Melania Trump for mediation, but the documents give no further detail.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS and RIA Novosti report that Witkoff thanked Putin on Trump's behalf for the diesel decision. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kommersant reports Putin's thanks to Donald and Melania Trump and Witkoff's thanks for the diesel deal. [ 5 ]
- TASS reports Witkoff promised to pass Putin's best wishes to Melania Trump. [ 6 ]
- TASS reports Ushakov saying the diesel agreements received considerable attention at the meeting. [ 7 ]
- Interfax reports Ushakov saying Putin and Witkoff noted the diesel agreements would help stabilise the energy market. [ 14 ]
- RIA Novosti reports Dmitriev saying Moscow notes Melania Trump's work. [ 16 ]