By Bosphorus News Energy Desk
Türkiye expects to receive a share of Russian diesel exports under an arrangement between Moscow and Washington, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on October 18. He gave no volume or delivery timetable.
Bayraktar told Kanal 7 that Russia had restricted diesel exports because of domestic supply problems before reaching an agreement with US President Donald Trump. Bayraktar said talks involving Ankara would allow Türkiye to receive some of the fuel, which he described as important to the country's energy security. Reuters reported the interview.
What the US Diesel License Allows
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License 135 on October 9. It allows certain transactions involving the sale, delivery, offloading and import of Russian-origin diesel through April 7, 2027, including qualifying transactions outside the United States.
The license names no buyers, destination countries or cargo allocations. It does not authorize debits to accounts at US banks held by Russia's central bank, National Wealth Fund or Finance Ministry.
Trump had announced an initial supply of more than 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel for US and international markets after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bayraktar identified no Turkish buyer, price or loading port, and gave no indication of the volume Türkiye would receive.
Separate From the October 16 Sanctions Waiver
Trump separately waived new sanctions and tariffs under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in an October 16 executive order. Existing Russia sanctions under other US authorities remain in force.
The October 9 license authorized specified diesel transactions under two US sanctions regimes. Bayraktar now says Türkiye will receive some of the fuel, though no purchase contract or shipment has been independently confirmed.
Sources: Reuters, US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, White House, Bosphorus News review and reporting.