Turkey is preparing to purchase part of the Russian diesel supply covered by an agreement involving Moscow and Washington, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said. He described access to the fuel as important for a country that remains partly dependent on Russia for its energy needs.

Radio Svoboda reported the minister’s comments on Sunday, October 18. Bayraktar said Turkish officials had held negotiations over the allocation but provided no figures or timetable for shipments.

US President Donald Trump said on October 9 that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed on the immediate delivery of more than 300,000 tonnes of fuel. He also cited 500,000 tonnes in November, another one million tonnes afterward and three million tonnes at a later stage, depending on conditions at Russian refineries.

Russia had maintained a diesel export ban since July 8. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced its early removal on October 10 and said on October 18 that Russian diesel would reach US markets 15 to 20 days after contracts were signed.