Russian officials gave different departure estimates for the first diesel tanker bound for the United States, as Moscow began easing export restrictions and sought to restore shipments constrained by refinery capacity.
TASS reported that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Oct. 21 the tanker was scheduled to leave for the United States on Oct. 22. Novak said it could carry 40,000 tons and that additional shipments would follow, with contract signing nearing completion. A TASS transcript of Putin’s Oct. 21 meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff records a later departure estimate: Putin said the first of several tankers being prepared would leave within two to three days. He also cited 40,000 tons of diesel and said financial arrangements had to be in place. Novak described that figure as vessel capacity; Putin described it as the diesel amount.
The Russian government said its partial easing of diesel export restrictions took effect Oct. 10. It set an initial 500,000-metric-ton allowance for the global market and said exporters must obtain approval for contracts with overseas buyers. Moscow said the controls were intended to stabilize the domestic fuel market.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License 135 on Oct. 9, permitting transactions tied to selling, moving, unloading and importing Russian-origin diesel. It runs through 12:01 a.m. ET on April 7, 2027.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in an Oct. 9 Truth Social post that more than 300,000 tons would go at once to American and global markets; he put 500,000 tons in November, 1 million tons “immediately thereafter” and a further 3 million tons within a short period, subject to conditions at Russian refineries. His post and the Russian government announcement set no U.S. allocation for their stated volumes. Trump named lower fuel costs for U.S. farmers, ranchers and truckers as a priority.
The Associated Press reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the deal weak and that six U.S. senators said it would give Russia a financial lifeline. The Independent previously reported Zelenskyy’s warning that the deal could add to Moscow’s war funding. TASS also reported Novak saying diesel exports were recovering within refinery limits and could return to full volumes by year-end. The immediate markers are completion of contract signing and whether the tanker departs on the Oct. 22 schedule Novak gave.
