Russia's message that it is ready to supply oil and petroleum products to the United States and global markets came after the approximately 1.5-hour phone call between Putin and Donald Trump. Putin said he believed such a step would have an entirely positive impact on the global economy.
According to a statement published by the Kremlin, the leaders discussed developments in global energy markets, the prospects for resolving the Ukraine crisis, the situation in Iran and various aspects of Russia–U.S. relations.
Putin said they had agreed to maintain direct contacts between the leaders of the two countries. The presidential administrations, intelligence services and other institutions will also continue their cooperation, he said.
Washington prepares temporary license
Donald Trump said he and Putin had agreed on the initial shipment of more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel from Russia to the United States and global markets. Trump said plans called for an additional 500,000 tons of fuel to be supplied during November, followed by 1 million tons of diesel fuel in the next phase.
The U.S. Treasury Department said it would issue a temporary general license allowing Russian diesel fuel to be supplied to global markets.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak also said his country would begin shipping diesel fuel to the United States and global markets. Novak said restrictions on diesel exports would begin to be lifted earlier than planned.
Novak said domestic demand for diesel fuel in Russia would be fully met despite the start of exports. He said diesel exports could be increased in November and December once maintenance work at Russian refineries was completed.
Novak said they welcomed the United States' steps to stabilize global energy markets and normalize energy trade. He added that Russia was ready to coordinate with the United States in the future to help create a more predictable and sound energy market.
Prospect of restarting Ukraine negotiations
Yuriy Ushakov, an adviser to the Kremlin on foreign policy, said the possible shipment of Russian petroleum products to the U.S. market was also discussed during the Putin–Trump call. Ushakov said the leaders discussed preparations for comprehensive initiatives.
Ushakov said the possibility of restarting the negotiation process on Ukraine was considered during the call. He said the possibility of holding trilateral negotiations had been discussed during the previous phone call, but that circumstances had changed.
Ushakov argued that the Kyiv administration's attempts to prevent elections in Russia had disrupted the negotiation process. Ushakov said Putin had indicated that they would consider when negotiations could resume, and added that Trump would convey these messages to the Ukrainian delegation in Miami.
Ushakov said the possibility of a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Trump had not been raised. He added that the two leaders could meet if they visited China during the same period in the near future.
Other topics discussed during the call
Ushakov said Trump congratulated Putin on his birthday at the beginning of the call and conveyed his wife's greetings. The call was scheduled to take place after Putin's visit to Turkmenistan, and Trump postponed some of his engagements to take part.
The leaders also discussed sports during the approximately 1.5-hour call. They exchanged views on Russian ice hockey player Aleksandr Ovechkin.
Ushakov said Trump told Putin that he was ready to maintain communication in the evening, overnight or the following day. Asked which leader had ended the call first, he said the conversation had ended simultaneously.
