Russia’s government approved extending the import damper to diesel, a move that will allow the state to compensate importers when export bans are in place, effectively subsidising foreign purchases to keep domestic pumps supplied. Simultaneously, Brazil’s Congress extended by 60 days a provisional measure that pays producers and importers R$1.12 per litre of diesel sold, a programme set to run through December 2026. Both actions underscore the lengths to which large emerging economies are going to stabilise fuel markets buffeted by geopolitical disruption and infrastructure constraints.

The Russian damper, originally designed to compensate refineries for selling fuel at home rather than exporting at higher world prices, is being adapted for imports. Under the new rules, if a government ban on diesel exports was in force the previous month, importers will receive a payment that bridges the gap between foreign and domestic prices, making it economically viable to bring in cargoes. Brazil’s approach is more direct: a fixed per-litre subsidy to any ANP-authorised producer or importer that voluntarily reduces its selling price by the same amount, with the government reimbursing within 30 days.

Viewed from Moscow, the diesel damper is a response to a persistent fuel deficit that has forced authorities to ban exports of both gasoline and diesel and to tap strategic reserves. Russian refineries have been hit by drone attacks, curbing output, while seasonal demand and maintenance have added pressure. Imports from Belarus have surged: in the first half of 2026, diesel shipments rose fivefold to 256,000 tonnes, and gasoline imports jumped twentyfold to 453,000 tonnes, with a record 141,000 tonnes of gasoline delivered in June alone. Analysts in Minsk note that Belarus has redirected exports from third countries to Russia, taking advantage of prices well above global benchmarks, and that domestic fuel availability is not at risk, though retail prices may accelerate. In Brazil, the subsidy was triggered by the shock to international oil markets from the US-Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with the government estimating a monthly cost of R$1.7 billion for diesel alone.

The Russian measure will be incorporated into amendments to the Tax Code and is expected to apply from July 2026 through mid-2027. Brazil’s Congress now has 60 days to analyse the provisional measure, which also defers aviation navigation tariffs for domestic airlines. Both programmes will be watched for their fiscal cost and effectiveness in preventing supply gaps and price spikes.