(Kremlin): Russian-American diesel agreement serves interests of both countries and global markets

Moscow, October 13 (KUNA) -- The Russian presidency (the Kremlin) said on Tuesday that the Russian-American agreement on diesel fuel supplies serves the common interests of the two countries and global energy markets, while warning against the European Union’s intention to impose sanctions on Moscow in response to the agreement. The Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted the Kremlin in a statement saying that “European countries, like the rest of the world, are active buyers of Russian oil,” and affirming that “Moscow will continue to supply global markets with highly competitive petroleum products.” The statement added that “the agreement on diesel fuel serves the interests of Russia, the United States, and global energy markets amid demand for petroleum products and to ensure the continuity of supplies.” The Kremlin warned that “European sanctions on Russia in response to the U.S. decision to temporarily suspend sanctions on Russian diesel could disrupt the agreement between Moscow and Washington, potentially affecting cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.” Regarding negotiations on Ukraine, the Kremlin clarified that “Moscow sees no direct link between the U.S. decision on diesel fuel and Russia’s position on the negotiation track aimed at resolving the crisis.” It also noted that “the information available to Russia regarding rumors of a supposed U.S.-European peace plan to settle the situation in Ukraine is currently limited to what is being circulated by the media.” These remarks come as the Russian-American diesel agreement has sparked divergent Western positions. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas affirmed that the EU would continue applying sanctions on Russia despite the U.S.-Russian understanding, considering that increasing pressure on Moscow remains necessary, from the EU’s perspective, to end the war in Ukraine. The United States had previously announced a temporary easing of restrictions on transactions related to Russian diesel fuel, a move aimed at providing additional supplies to markets and helping to alleviate pressure on energy prices, while Moscow views the agreement as serving the economic interests of the parties involved. (End) D.A.N / A.M.S