Diesel tankers sail as peace talks resume

Three tankers loaded with Russian diesel are currently navigating toward the North American coast, signaling the practical implementation of a new energy deal. Alexander Novak, the Russian deputy prime minister, confirmed the movement on Friday. He stated that the vessels are part of a broader agreement allowing Russian firms to ship 500,000 metric tonnes of fuel to global markets this month. Novak noted that the Russian Direct Investment Fund is providing significant support for these initial deliveries.

The arrangement was announced earlier this month by US president Donald Trump. Under the terms, Russia agreed to increase diesel supply to help lower global fuel prices. In exchange, the White House agreed to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian fuel. Reuters reported that one of the ships, the Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes, is carrying ultra-low sulphur diesel. It is expected to arrive in the United States on November 7.

Simultaneously, the White House announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire in Oleshky. This city in southern Ukraine has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. Officials said all military operations in the area would halt from October 27. This pause is intended to allow aid delivery and preparations for civilian evacuation. The move comes as conditions in the city deteriorate, with severe shortages of food, water, and electricity affecting an estimated 2,000 remaining residents.

The diplomatic momentum extends beyond the local truce. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that technical-level meetings between Ukraine, Russia, and the US are scheduled for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi. A US official later suggested that the three nations might meet again in a couple of weeks, potentially in Switzerland. Zelenskyy expressed hope that a summit of national leaders would follow these technical discussions.

This renewed push for dialogue follows recent tensions between Washington and Kyiv. Several recent moves by Trump, including limits on the Starlink communication system used by Ukraine, were viewed as favoring Russia. On Friday, Trump stated that if Ukraine continued to face access issues with Starlink, he would resolve the matter. He indicated he might raise the issue directly with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk if necessary.

In Europe, EU leaders urged UK prime minister Andy Burnham to increase contributions to Ukraine’s defense during a Brussels summit. The UK government is set to present its first budget under Burnham’s leadership next week. EU officials also argued that Canada and Japan should provide greater support. Meanwhile, the IAEA announced that repairs to power infrastructure near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant were completed. This work, done under a temporary ceasefire, strengthens the connection to the plant’s sole remaining external power line, reducing the risk of another power loss.