Russia Will Consider Partial Lifting of Diesel Export Ban in Case of Overproduction, Novak Says

By Reuters Oct. 2, 2026 An employee holds a diesel fuel pump nozzle at a petrol station in Moscow. REUTERS / Maxim Shemetov Russia said on Friday it would consider a partial lifting of diesel export restrictions in case of overproduction, raising the prospect of a possible reprieve for global fuel markets strained by war and supply shortages. Speaking in the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak also said that the domestic diesel market is currently balanced. Russia this week extended its ban on diesel exports for fuel producers until the end of October, adding further strain on the global energy market. Russia was the world's second-largest diesel exporter after the United States before it started to limit overseas sales this summer to meet the demand of the domestic market, supplies to which were dented by Ukrainian attacks on refineries. Global fuel shortages and sharp price increases have been in focus, especially in the U.S., where diesel prices have shot to records over $6.50 a gallon as the wars in Iran and Ukraine constrain deliveries of fuel, a political risk for U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections. "Today, the diesel market is balanced and supplies are sufficient. Although we extended the diesel export ban into October just a few days ago, we will continue to monitor the situation and, if diesel production exceeds domestic demand, we will consider partially reopening exports," Novak said. President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia will not supply its diesel to global energy markets until sanctions against Moscow are lifted. Novak said that the situation with Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure has remained "tense." He said Russia thwarted attacks on four refineries overnight, while the authorities were assessing the damage at one of the plants. Novak also said that the damage caused by repeated raids on refineries has been significantly lower thanks to protection measures. "This allows us to restore damaged equipment and bring facilities back into operation more quickly after repairs," he said. Read more about: Oil , Exports , Business Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia’s Crude Exports Rise as Diesel Ban Limits Gains From Higher Oil Prices The increase could help Moscow fund its rising military spending, but it comes with a costly trade-off. 2 Min read Russia's Timber Exports to China Slump as Property Crisis Deepens The decrease adds to mounting pressure on an industry already struggling with sanctions, high borrowing costs and weak profitability. 2 Min read Russian Crude Oil Selling at 13-Year High On April 2, Urals shipped from the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk sold for $116.05 per barrel, while cargoes from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk reached... 2 Min read Russia’s Energy Revenues Down 27% From Pre-War Levels – Analysis In total, Russia earned 193 billion euros from energy sales over the past year, of which 14.5 billion euros came from the European Union. 3 Min read