Novak confirms three Russian diesel tankers sailing for US East Coast

Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak announced on Friday that three fuel tankers are currently en route to North America. The vessels are the first to operate under a new arrangement allowing Russian companies to supply 500,000 metric tonnes of diesel to US and global markets in October.

Novak stated that the tankers are traveling to the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean with support from the Russian Direct Investment Fund. The deal was announced this month by US president Donald Trump. Under the terms, Russia agreed to increase diesel exports to lower fuel prices, while the US agreed to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian fuel.

Reuters identified one of the vessels as the Malta-flagged medium-sized tanker Agioi Fanendes. The ship is loaded with ultra-low sulphur diesel and is scheduled to arrive in the United States on 7 November.

The fuel shipment coincides with diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The White House announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire in the occupied city of Oleshky. Military operations in the city will halt beginning 27 October to allow aid delivery and civilian evacuations. Officials from both nations confirmed that the parties are close to finalizing the agreement.

Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. An estimated 2,000 residents remain in the city facing severe shortages of food, water, and electricity. Some residents report surviving on weeds, boiled grass, and bread.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that technical-level meetings between Ukraine, Russia, and the US are set for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi. A US official noted that the three countries might meet again in a few weeks in either Abu Dhabi or Switzerland. Zelenskyy expressed hope that a summit of national leaders would follow.

This diplomatic push follows a recent rift between Washington and Kyiv. Trump said on Friday that he would resolve remaining issues with Ukraine's access to the Starlink communication system, potentially raising the matter with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

EU leaders also addressed Ukraine's defense needs at a summit in Brussels. They urged UK prime minister Andy Burnham to increase contributions ahead of the UK's first budget under his leadership next week. EU officials also called for greater support from Canada and Japan.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported on Friday that repairs to power infrastructure near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant were completed under a temporary ceasefire. The work strengthened the connection to the Ferosplavna-1 power line, reducing the risk of another loss of external electricity at Europe's largest nuclear station.