Russia said on Friday that the US Treasury Department asked its sovereign wealth fund to assist in implementing a diesel agreement between Moscow and Washington announced last week.
– In remarks at the Russian Energy Week conference in Moscow, presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev said the US Treasury asked the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for assistance, specifically regarding the processing of payments and the resolution of various “purely tactical matters” related to the deal.
– “The Russian Direct Investment Fund will work to ensure that all payments are efficient and, consequently, reach their intended recipients,” said Dmitriev, who is simultaneously the CEO of the RDIF, according to remarks published by Russian media outlets, including state news agency RIA.
– Last Friday, US President Donald Trump unveiled a diesel supply agreement following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, under which Moscow agreed to provide fuel to the US and global markets.
– Putin said Russian diesel supplies to US and global markets would benefit the world economy, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the deal, warning that easing restrictions on Russian diesel exports could help finance Moscow’s war effort.
– Dmitriev said the US Energy Department has already identified certain Russian companies that will supply diesel fuel to the US.
– Commenting on Russia-US ties, Dmitriev said both countries will soon announce “further important initiatives,” describing the recent diesel agreement as an example of the “ice finally beginning to break.”
– “We have a large, broad scope of projects underway. Naturally, things are quite difficult; there is resistance – at times, significant resistance – from various quarters,” Dmitriev said, noting that Russia and the US are discussing joint energy projects related to the Arctic, liquefied natural gas, and other areas.
– He said both countries are negotiating joint projects involving data centers, including those that would utilize energy generated by Russian nuclear power plants.