Three Russian tankers carrying 40,000 tonnes of diesel head to US, first shipment since 2023
According to marine intelligence firm Kpler, a first tanker had on Friday signalled it was headed to New York, and was slated to arrive there on November 7.
Three Russian tankers carrying 40,000 tonnes of diesel have departed from the Russian port of Primorsk, bound for the United States, marking the first shipment of Russian diesel to the US since 2023, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. The launch of the fuel tankers comes two weeks after US President Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Russia, following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The agreement is seen as an attempt by Trump to alleviate high fuel prices in America ahead of the midterm elections. According to Reuters, the first tanker had signaled its route to New York, with an arrival scheduled for November 7. The announcement of the diesel deal has drawn criticism in Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky describing it as a "weak decision by strong partners."
The move has also faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats in the US, with Trump accused of violating American laws. The deal symbolizes a policy reversal for the Trump administration, which had previously signed into law a sanctions package imposing up to 100% tariffs on top five countries purchasing Russian energy.
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