Moscow:Russia announced that the US Treasury Department has requested assistance from its sovereign wealth fund to implement a diesel agreement between Moscow and Washington, which was announced last week.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Kirill Dmitriev, the presidential envoy and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), disclosed at the Russian Energy Week conference that the US Treasury reached out for help with payment processing and addressing tactical issues related to the deal.

The agreement was unveiled by US President Donald Trump following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Under the deal, Russia agreed to supply diesel to the US and global markets, a move Putin claimed would positively impact the world economy. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the agreement, expressing concern that easing restrictions on Russian diesel exports could bolster Moscow's military funding.

Dmitriev noted that the US Energy Department has identified specific Russian companies to supply diesel fuel to the US. He also mentioned that both nations would soon announce additional initiatives, highlighting the diesel agreement as a sign of thawing relations.

Furthermore, Dmitriev revealed ongoing discussions between Russia and the US on joint energy projects, including those involving the Arctic and liquefied natural gas. Negotiations also cover data center projects that could use energy from Russian nuclear power plants.