500,000 Metric Tonnes of Russian Diesel Head to US Under New Sanctions Waiver

Three tankers carrying Russian diesel are en route to North America, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. Speaking on Friday, Novak stated that the vessels are part of an arrangement allowing Russian companies to supply 500,000 metric tonnes of fuel to US and global markets in October. The deal, announced this month by US President Donald Trump, pairs Russia's fuel exports with a temporary lift on US sanctions to help reduce fuel prices.

Reuters reported that one vessel, the Malta-flagged medium-sized tanker Agioi Fanendes, is loaded with ultra-low sulphur diesel. The ship is scheduled to arrive in the United States on 7 November. Novak noted that the shipments are supported by the Russian Direct Investment Fund, describing the movement of the first three tankers as already underway toward the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Simultaneously, the White House confirmed that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. Both sides will halt military operations in the city from 27 October. This pause is intended to allow humanitarian aid delivery and to prepare for the evacuation of civilians. The ceasefire follows a worsening humanitarian crisis in the city, where residents face severe shortages of food, water, and electricity.

Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. An estimated 2,000 people remain in the city, with some reportedly surviving on weeds, boiled grass, and limited rations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the US have agreed to hold technical-level meetings in the first half of November in Abu Dhabi. A US official added that the three countries might meet again in a couple of weeks, potentially in Switzerland, with a leaders' meeting to follow.

The diplomatic efforts come after a recent rift between Washington and Kyiv. The United States recently imposed limits on the Starlink communication system, which Ukraine uses for defense. Trump said on Friday that if Ukraine still faces access issues, he would address the matter and, if necessary, speak with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. In Europe, EU leaders urged UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase contributions to Ukraine's defense at a Brussels summit. The UK government is set to present its first budget under Burnham's leadership next week.

The International Atomic Energy Agency announced on Friday that repairs to key power infrastructure near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are complete. The work was conducted under a temporary ceasefire brokered by the UN nuclear watchdog. Repairs strengthened the plant's connection to its sole remaining external power line, known as Ferosplavna-1. This upgrade lowers the risk of another loss of off-site electricity at Europe's largest nuclear power station.