Trump says Russia will supply millions of tonnes of diesel after call with Putin
In short
US President Trump said after a call with Russian President Putin that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US and global markets, 500,000 tonnes in November and then a further 1 million tonnes. A Kremlin statement on the October 9 call said Russia confirmed it would supply oil and oil products to the US and global markets. Xinhua reported that the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control said it would ease sanctions on Russian diesel trade in the coming months.
Read the full story 2 min read
US President Trump said Russia had agreed to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately to the US and global markets, a further 500,000 tonnes in November and then another 1 million tonnes. CLS reported that he made the announcement in a post on his Truth Social account after what he called a "very successful" phone call with Russian President Putin. Trump said Russia would also deliver 3 million tonnes of diesel within a short time, depending on the condition of its refineries. [ 1 , 2 ]
Trump said that, given US full control of the Strait of Hormuz and the announcement on Russian energy, diesel prices in the US and around the world would fall sharply and quickly; the version carried by Yicai says they would fall by record margins. He said lowering the cost of living for Americans, especially farmers, ranchers and truck drivers, was his top priority, and added that Iran must never have nuclear weapons. [ 1 , 2 ]
The Kremlin published a statement from Putin on October 9 local time, which Xinhua said was posted on the presidential website that evening. It said the call focused on prospects for settling the Ukraine crisis, the situation around Iran and several aspects of bilateral relations. On the global energy market, the Russian side confirmed it would supply oil and oil products to the US and global markets, and Putin said this would have a positive effect on the global economy. [ 3 , 4 ]
According to the statement, the two sides confirmed that the presidents would stay in direct contact. CLS reported that cooperation would continue through the presidential offices, intelligence and security services and other government agencies, while Xinhua said the relevant departments of both countries would continue to cooperate. [ 3 , 4 ]
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak said Russia was willing to increase diesel supplies to the US market in October, CLS reported. He said Russia might raise diesel exports in November and December as its refineries finish maintenance. [ 3 ]
Xinhua reported that the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced on October 9 that it would ease sanctions on Russian diesel trade over the coming months, to relieve tight diesel supply in the US and curb oil prices. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
Trump said the supplies, together with US control of the Strait of Hormuz, would bring diesel prices in the US and worldwide down sharply. According to Xinhua, the US sanctions easing is meant to relieve tight US diesel supply and curb oil prices. The call also covered the Ukraine crisis, Iran and bilateral relations, according to the Kremlin statement.
Key facts
- Trump said Russia agreed to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, 500,000 tonnes in November and then a further 1 million tonnes. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Trump said Russia would also deliver 3 million tonnes of diesel in a short time, depending on the condition of its refineries. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Kremlin said Russia confirmed it would supply oil and oil products to the US and global markets, and Putin said this would have a positive effect on the global economy. [ 3 , 4 ]
- According to the Kremlin statement, the call focused on prospects for settling the Ukraine crisis, the situation around Iran and bilateral relations. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak said Russia was willing to increase diesel supplies to the US market in October. [ 3 ]
- The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control said on October 9 it would ease sanctions on Russian diesel trade in the coming months. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump and Putin held a phone call on October 9. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Trump announced that Russia would supply diesel to the US and global markets. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The Kremlin said Russia would supply oil and oil products to the US and global markets. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The call covered the Ukraine crisis, Iran and bilateral relations, according to the Kremlin statement. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The US Office of Foreign Assets Control said it would ease sanctions on Russian diesel trade in the coming months. [ 4 ]
Still unclear
- The diesel volumes and schedule Trump gave The tonnages come from Trump; the Kremlin statement as reported speaks of oil and oil products without giving figures.
- Timing of the 3 million tonnes of diesel Trump said it would come in a short time but depends on the condition of Russian refineries.
- Increased Russian diesel exports in November and December Novak said exports might rise as refineries finish maintenance, which is only reported by CLS.
- Effect on diesel prices The claim that prices will fall sharply comes from Trump.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yicai reports Trump's statement on Russian diesel supplies after his call with Putin (October 10). [ 1 ]
- CLS reports Trump's Truth Social post and says Russia has confirmed the call. [ 2 ]
- CLS reports the Kremlin statement and Novak's remarks on diesel supplies. [ 3 ]
- Xinhua reports Putin's statement and the US plan to ease sanctions on Russian diesel trade. [ 4 ]