A fourth tanker carrying diesel fuel to the US as part of a Moscow-Washington deal earlier this month is expected to depart on Wednesday, Russia's deputy prime minister said Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow, Alexander Novak said Moscow had already dispatched three tankers, The Caspian Post reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

"There are currently three ships. The fourth has not yet departed. We expect it on the 28th," he said.

The official said he was surprised by the stance of US politicians who oppose the diesel deal with Russia.

"In general, of course, the position of the Democrats is surprising, who speak or even act not in the interests of the residents of the US," he said.

Russia is also ready to resume gas supplies to Europe if European countries want them, Novak noted.

"For our part, we are ready. We have always been reliable suppliers," he said.

The official said Russia can sell all of its gas volumes in other markets if Europe turns them down.

"If Europe does not buy, we have somewhere to sell our gas. You know that in recent years, we have developed infrastructure for supplies to those countries that are most actively increasing consumption, where the economy is growing. So, Russia has no problems with selling gas in this regard. It is rather Europe’s problem," he said.

Turning to China, he said liquefied natural gas is more expensive for Beijing than Russian pipeline gas.

"From the point of view of economics, of course, it is much more costly for them today. With a shortage of gas and cheap energy resources, consumers overpay because of the deficit and rising prices, and buy more expensive liquefied natural gas with longer logistics costs and so on," he said.

On the future of the Nord Stream pipelines, he said Europe is likely to need them in the long term.

"Looking ahead, in principle, the development of pipeline infrastructure that took place from the 1970s and continued in this century is beneficial both to Europe, European countries, and to Russia, because Russia is energy independent and able to ensure the energy security of other countries that do not have their own energy resources, in particular Europe. So, I think that in the long term, strategically, these pipelines are most likely to be in demand," he said.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump unveiled a diesel supply agreement following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, under which Moscow agreed to “immediately supply” more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the US and global markets.

According to Trump, Russia would supply another 500,000 tons of diesel fuel in November, followed by 1 million tons "immediately thereafter."

He said an additional 3 million tons would be delivered "within a short period," depending on the condition of Russian diesel refineries.

Putin said Russian diesel supplies to US and global markets would benefit the world economy, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the deal, warning that easing restrictions on Russian diesel exports could help finance its war effort.