Australia's energy minister: we do not need Russian fuel

Australia's energy and climate change minister, Chris Bowen, said on Saturday that the country neither needs nor wants Russian fuel. He was responding to a deal in which US President Donald Trump agreed with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on diesel supplies to the US and global markets. Bowen stressed that Russia should not be rewarded for its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

The deal announced by Trump

Trump wrote on social media that after a "highly successful discussion" with Putin, Russia had agreed to immediately supply 300,000 tons of diesel. This would be followed by 500,000 tons in November, rising later to 3 million tons, depending on the condition of Russia's diesel refineries. Democrats and some Republicans have criticised the arrangement. Trump is under political pressure from high diesel prices in the US ahead of next month's midterm elections. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the deal plays into Russia's hands, allowing it to kill more people and wage war for longer.

Australia's approach

Bowen, who will lead negotiations at next month's UN climate talks in Turkey, told a regular press conference that Australia has arrangements with trading partners to keep Russian fuel from reaching the country. He said what the US does is its own matter, but Australia's approach will not change. He added that he does not want Putin to benefit from the war in the Middle East.

Uncertainty persists in the Middle East following Trump's protracted war with Iran; this week he promised not to launch further attacks on Iran before the midterms.

Fuel reserves

Bowen said the international situation remains difficult, but Australia holds 43 days' worth of petrol and 31 days' worth of diesel, consistent with recent updates. There are 51 ships heading to Australia with fuel, and 3.2 billion litres are contracted for delivery over the next four weeks. He met Saudi Arabian representatives in Fiji and said he is confident Riyadh is working to keep fuel flowing, despite continuing attacks in Saudi Arabia.