500,000 Tonnes of Diesel Set Sail

Three tankers carrying Russian diesel are en route to North America, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. The vessels transport the initial portion of a 500,000 metric tonne fuel supply agreed upon this month. Novak stated that the arrangement involves Russian companies selling fuel to US and global markets in October.

The first three fuel tankers are already on their way to the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Novak told Russian news agencies. He noted that the Russian Direct Investment Fund provides significant support for these shipments. The deal was announced by US President Donald Trump, who agreed to temporarily lift US sanctions on Russian fuel in exchange for lower global diesel prices.

Reuters identified one of the vessels as the Agioi Fanendes, a Malta-flagged medium-sized tanker. The ship carries ultra-low sulphur diesel and is expected to arrive in the United States on November 7. The arrival marks the first physical delivery under the new framework linking energy exports to diplomatic progress.

Simultaneously, the White House announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire in the occupied city of Oleshky. Military operations in the city will halt starting October 27. The pause aims to allow aid delivery and preparations for civilian evacuation. Both Russian and Ukrainian officials confirmed that the parties are close to finalizing the truce terms.

Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. An estimated 2,000 people remain in the city, facing severe shortages of food, water, and electricity. Residents report surviving on weeds, boiled grass, and meager rations as the humanitarian situation deteriorates. The ceasefire provides a window to address these critical needs before further escalation.

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

The diplomatic push follows recent tensions between Washington and Kyiv, including US limits on the Starlink communication system used for air defense. Trump stated on Friday that he would resolve any remaining access issues, possibly by raising them with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Meanwhile, the IAEA reported that repairs to power infrastructure near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant were completed under a temporary ceasefire, strengthening the plant's connection to its sole remaining external power line.