How EU ships are still able to carry Trump's Russian diesel despite so many sanctions

On October 23, it was reported that a ship named Agioi Fanendes, currently en route from Russia's Baltic Sea port of Primorsk to New York, was carrying 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel. This news prompted questions about how the EU, despite imposing 21 sanctions packages against Russia since its 2022 invasion, could still be involved in facilitating such trade.

Trump's deal to purchase Russian diesel, announced on October 9, has been met with widespread condemnation from EU leaders and may be considered illegal under U.S. sanctions policy.

The ship, owned by Greek company Eastern Mediterranean Maritime and sailing under a Maltese flag, is subject to the 21 EU sanctions against Russia. According to Ukraine's sanctions chief, an EU-flagged ship may carry Russian diesel only if it is bought at or below the $100 per barrel price cap, which was agreed upon by the G7 in 2022 to reduce Russia's profits from the oil trade while ensuring global energy supply. The European Commission confirmed this interpretation to the Kyiv Independent.

EU operators are only allowed to transport Russian crude oil and petroleum products if they are sold at or below the price caps, and shipowners must obtain an attestation from their customers confirming the purchase was made at or below the price cap. When asked about the financial value of the Agioi Fanendes' cargo, a spokesperson for the company claimed to be unaware of the information, but they had not yet responded to a follow-up question regarding the receipt of the required attestation by publication time.

Malta, the country whose flag the Agioi Fanendes flies, has stated its commitment to rigorously implementing EU sanctions and expects full compliance with the applicable measures. The Maltese sanctions unit confirmed they are aware of the reports surrounding the ship's shipment and await the requested attestation to ensure the diesel complies with the G7 price cap.