First Russian diesel shipment arrives in US following Trump-Putin agreement

A Malta-flagged tanker, Agioi Fanendes, is currently transporting 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low sulphur diesel from the Russian port of Primorsk to New York. The vessel departed on October 22 and is scheduled to reach its destination on November 7. This shipment marks the first import of Russian petroleum products into the US since the ban implemented by President Joe Biden in 2022.

The delivery follows an agreement between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin intended to reduce diesel prices before the November 3 midterm elections. To facilitate this, President Trump has waived specific provisions of a recent sanctions law against Russia. Furthermore, the administration has pressured European nations to tap into emergency reserves, threatening to implement a US diesel export ban if they refuse to cooperate.

Under the reported agreement announced by President Trump on October 9, Russia is committed to an immediate export of 300,000 metric tons of diesel, with plans to increase this amount by 500,000 tons in November and an additional 1 million tons shortly thereafter. Long-term projections suggest Russia may increase its diesel exports to between 3 million and 3.5 million tons per month. The identities of the commercial entities involved in the current transaction remain undisclosed.