Novak: Three Russian diesel tankers sail for US as Oleshky truce begins

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed on Friday that three tankers carrying diesel are moving toward North America. The vessels represent the initial delivery under a new agreement allowing Russian companies to supply 500,000 metric tonnes of fuel to US and global markets throughout October. Novak stated that the first three tankers are already traveling toward the Atlantic Ocean's eastern coast, noting the arrangement has support from the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

President Donald Trump announced the arrangement earlier this month. Under the terms, Russia agreed to supply diesel to lower fuel prices, and the United States agreed to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian fuel. Reuters reported that one of the vessels, the Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes, carries ultra-low sulphur diesel and is expected to reach the United States on 7 November.

The fuel shipments coincide with a diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine. The White House announced on Friday 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 starting 27 October. This pause allows for the delivery of aid and preparations to evacuate civilians.

Oleshky, located in southern Ukraine, has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. Residents report severe shortages of food, water, and electricity. An estimated 2,000 people remain in the city. Some residents are reportedly surviving on weeds, boiled grass, bread, and meagre rations as conditions worsen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have agreed to hold technical-level meetings in the first half of November in Abu Dhabi. A US official later indicated the three countries might meet again within a couple of weeks, potentially in Abu Dhabi or Switzerland. Zelenskyy expressed hope that a meeting of national leaders would follow these technical discussions.

This diplomatic effort follows recent tensions between Washington and Kyiv. These included limits placed on the Starlink communication system, which Ukraine uses for defense. Trump said he would resolve any access issues with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk if necessary. In Brussels, EU leaders urged UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to contribute more to Ukraine's defense ahead of the UK's next budget. The International Atomic Energy Agency also reported that repairs to power infrastructure near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant are complete, reducing the risk of power loss at Europe's largest nuclear station.