MOSCOW: (News Desk) – A proposed deal between Russia and the United States on Russian diesel supplies could pave the way for broader economic and investment cooperation, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Wednesday, pledging that Moscow would overcome sanctions-related obstacles to ensure deliveries.
US President Donald Trump said last Friday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had reached an agreement for Russia to supply diesel to the United States and international markets.
The reported arrangement comes as Trump seeks to bring down diesel prices in the United States ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
The deal, which reportedly requires Washington to lift some US sanctions previously imposed on Russia, has drawn strong criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials.
Dmitriev said the arrangement could establish a model for future agreements, adding that Moscow remained interested in expanding its economic engagement with Washington.
“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 expressed interest in expanding economic cooperation with the United States, particularly in the energy and minerals sectors. Russian officials have also criticised Washington for linking potential economic agreements to efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Dmitriev said Moscow would continue pursuing economic and investment projects with Washington while arguing that US sanctions were also damaging American economic interests.
He said Russia would use concrete examples to explain its position, maintaining that the restrictions primarily hurt American consumers and farmers.
However, the reported diesel arrangement has raised concerns among European leaders about its potential implications for efforts to pressure Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the deal on Wednesday as a “very risky choice”, arguing that it ran counter to international efforts to compel Putin to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine.
The reported arrangement highlights the competing priorities surrounding Russia-US relations, as potential energy cooperation intersects with sanctions policy and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.
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