Diesel deal opens way for more Russia-US cooperation, Kremlin envoy says
A deal between Russia and the United States on Russian diesel supplies could pave the way for further economic cooperation between the two countries, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Wednesday, adding that Moscow would overcome any sanctions-related difficulties to ensure the fuel was delivered.
US President Donald Trump said last Friday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had reached an agreement for Russia to release diesel supplies to the United States and global markets.
Trump is seeking to lower diesel prices in the United States ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
The agreement, which required Trump to lift some US sanctions he had imposed on Russia, drew strong criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European officials.
Dmitriev said the deal could serve as a model for further agreements, adding that Russia intended to continue its economic engagement with the United States.
“It’s not just about the diesel deal; there are many other opportunities for economic and investment cooperation with the US that benefit Russia, the United States, and global markets alike,” he told reporters.
The Kremlin has repeatedly said it sees opportunities for profitable cooperation with the United States across several economic sectors, including energy and minerals. Moscow has also expressed regret that Washington previously made such agreements conditional on ending the war in Ukraine.
Dmitriev said Russia would continue engaging with the United States on economic and investment projects. He added that Moscow would “keep explaining, using concrete examples, that American sanctions primarily hurt the American people and American farmers”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday that the diesel deal was a “very risky choice” that ran counter to efforts to pressure Putin into negotiating a peace agreement with Ukraine.
Credit: Reuters
