The Treasury Department issued a six-month waiver on October 9, hours after a phone call between President Trump and President Putin, allowing Russian diesel to be sold on the global market. The stated aim is to lower fuel prices before the November 3 midterms.

Robert Berke, writing for OilPrice, argues the move fits a larger strategy to control global energy supply while denying it to China.

Senior Iranian diplomat Hamid Ghanbari stated that Russia may help Iran reduce its dependence on southern ports. He added that Russia could become a supplier of essential goods to Iran.

Janis Jurkans, a former Latvian foreign minister, has proposed that Riga serve as an EU negotiator in the Ukrainian conflict. He stated that Latvia understands the Russian people and is familiar with the Russian language.

Trump told reporters that he expects US-Russia-Ukraine talks to be held soon. He stated that he believes both parties want to make a deal.