Lavrov Says US-Russia Diesel Arrangement Is Delivering Results as Fuel Prices Decline

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that an agreement allowing Russia to supply diesel to the United States and international markets is already producing results,.

With fuel prices reportedly declining. In an article published in Moscow-based newspaper Kommersant on Tuesday, Lavrov said the arrangement was helping ease pressure on global energy markets.

Lavrov also argued that Russia does not use its economic relationships as a political weapon against countries it considers rivals or competitors. Referring to Moscow’s energy trade with Europe, he said Russia had supplied the continent with energy resources worth $320 billion since 2022.

He described the understanding between Russian and US leaders to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports as an important step towards strengthening energy security. According to Lavrov, implementation of the agreement has already begun and has contributed to an immediate reduction in prices.

Trump announces Russian diesel exports

US President Donald Trump announced the unexpected arrangement on October 9, under which Russia agreed to release 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel, equivalent to around 2.25 million barrels, for the US and global markets.

The supply schedule included an additional 500,000 tonnes in November, followed by another one million tonnes immediately afterwards. The move was aimed at easing fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.

As part of the arrangement, the Trump administration temporarily relaxed sanctions on Russian fuel exports, which had been imposed to restrict Moscow’s revenues amid its war against Ukraine.

Questions remain over impact on US fuel prices

Lavrov said Moscow was committed to stabilising international energy markets and supporting global energy security, balanced development and economic sustainability. However, he did not provide specific figures to support his claim that diesel prices had fallen.

US diesel futures have declined by approximately 11 per cent since the agreement was announced. However, retail diesel prices remained at record highs during the previous week, when Americans went to the polls, according to fuel price tracker GasBuddy.

Ukraine strikes on Russian energy infrastructure

Lavrov also accused Ukraine of disregarding Trump’s appeals to halt attacks on Russian energy facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had said last week that Kyiv’s forces would continue their strikes.

Meanwhile, Russian media reports indicated that fuel shortages had resurfaced in at least six regions of the country. The shortages followed Ukrainian attacks on at least eight major oil refineries over a two-week period, adding further pressure to Russia’s domestic fuel supply.