Russia to Extend Diesel Export Ban Through October, Report Says
Russia will extend its diesel export restrictions until the end of October, according to a report citing two unidentified sources.
Russia has decided to extend restrictions on diesel exports by fuel producers until the end of October, according to a report citing two unidentified sources.
The decision was reportedly taken at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees the oil sector as President Vladimir Putin's point man on energy. Novak's office did not respond to a request for comment, and the government has not officially confirmed whether the restrictions will be prolonged.
The existing ban on diesel exports is scheduled to lapse at the end of September.
Moscow introduced curbs on exports of gasoline, jet fuel and diesel in response to domestic fuel shortages that have been worsened by Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries. Calculations based on data from fuel market participants indicate that three of Russia's six largest diesel-producing refineries were forced to sharply reduce output or halt operations altogether in September because of damage from drone attacks.
The fuel crunch drew international attention over the weekend when U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to stop targeting Russian diesel infrastructure, saying the strikes were causing a shortage of a fuel that is "hurting the world." Trump also said on Monday that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to strike each other's energy infrastructure, though both countries have continued attacks on such facilities.