Turkey joins US-Russia diesel supply plan

Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on October 18, 2026 that the country will receive some of the diesel Russia is supplying to global markets under a U.S.-Russia agreement. He stated that talks with Washington and Moscow had secured diesel volumes for Turkey, without disclosing quantities, pricing, or delivery schedules.

Bayraktar framed participation in the arrangement as important for Turkey’s energy security. He noted that Russia had imposed restrictions on diesel exports in recent months before the new agreement was reached, underscoring the significance of securing additional supply for Turkey.

The diesel supply plan announced by President Donald Trump provides for an initial tranche of just over 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel to be released to U.S. and global markets immediately. This is to be followed by about 500,000 tonnes in November and further monthly deliveries thereafter.

To enable these flows, U.S. authorities have issued temporary authorisations for certain transactions involving Russian-origin diesel. The authorisations are currently in place through April 7, 2027, creating a defined window during which imports and related dealings can occur under the eased restrictions.

The easing of diesel-related restrictions on Russia and the broader pause or waiver of newly passed Russia sanctions has drawn strong international criticism. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the decision to proceed with the diesel arrangement "wrong".

Several European leaders also voiced regret over the U.S. move, warning that increased diesel exports from Russia could restore revenue to the Kremlin and weaken sanctions pressure. These criticisms highlight the geopolitical sensitivity surrounding the deal, even as participating countries seek to address domestic fuel needs.

Beyond the diesel arrangement, Bayraktar outlined plans to expand Turkey’s domestic gas production capacity in the Black Sea. He said a second floating gas production platform is expected to come online in the first quarter of 2028.

With the addition of this platform, daily output from the Black Sea field is projected to reach about 45 million cubic metres. Bayraktar added that production at the field would rise to a stated 550,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, signalling a substantial planned increase in Turkey’s indigenous energy supply.