Bangladesh asks for US approval to import Russian oil, refined fuel amid global disruptions

The special permission has been sought to safeguard harvests and food security, says embassy in Washington DC

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman meets with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in the United States on Tuesday local time .

Bangladesh has requested the United States to grant a special waiver to purchase refined diesel and other petroleum products from Russian sources due to global supply chain disruptions.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman presented the appeal to US Energy Secretary Chris Wright during a meeting at the Department of Energy on Tuesday, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.

Khalilur explained the “energy-related challenges Bangladesh is going through due to supply chain disruptions” in the meeting, the embassy said.

“He requested the US to provide Bangladesh special waiver to buy refined diesel and other petroleum products from Russian sources,” it added.

The minister emphasised that the request aims to protect farmers ahead of the coming planting season and prevent any adverse impact on harvests and national food security.

He also noted that Bangladesh had been unable to benefit from an earlier limited global waiver on Russian oil, as no tankers were bound for the country at the time.

The two sides discussed alternative options to procure refined oil from third countries, bypassing direct Russian crude.

Secretary Wright acknowledged Bangladesh’s energy challenges and expressed Washington’s commitment to support Bangladesh in ensuring energy security.

“He said the US will positively consider the requests of Bangladesh and assured that he and his team would work closely with the relevant departments of the US government to this end,” the embassy said.

Longer-term cooperation on sustainable energy solutions and potential increased procurement of US energy products were also discussed.