First Russian diesel tanker to US in 4 years sails after Trump-Putin deal
40,000-tonne shipment departs Primorsk port under temporary US sanctions waiver, with more to follow.
The first Russian diesel shipment to the United States since 2022 is set to depart after Washington granted a sanctions waiver, marking a rare resumption of fuel trade between the two countries amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Russia will send 40,000 tonnes of diesel to the U.S. this week, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced. The shipment follows Moscow’s decision to lift its diesel export ban on 9 October, imposed after Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted Russian refineries. A Malta-flagged tanker loaded the fuel at Russia’s Primorsk port and is expected to arrive in New York on 7 November.
Terms of the fuel agreement: Russian
The deal stems from negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced plans for Russia to supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel this month, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes later. Novak confirmed Russia would provide “as much as possible” to meet U.S. demand, though no further shipment dates or ports have been disclosed.
The U.S. currently exports around 1.5 million barrels of diesel daily, but analysts doubt the Russian shipments will significantly ease global supply constraints. Ukrainian attacks have damaged key refineries, while rising shipping costs limit Russia’s export capacity. Reuters reported in September that Europe’s diesel and jet fuel supplies had fallen by about a quarter, with inventories at 12-year lows.
Geopolitical fallout and market outlook
The agreement has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that easing restrictions on Russian energy exports could fund Moscow’s war effort. Kyiv has opposed any relaxation of sanctions, arguing it undermines pressure on Russia to end the conflict.
Trump has also proposed a ceasefire that would include halting attacks on energy infrastructure, a demand Ukraine has rejected. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Dangote refinery has increased exports to Europe to help offset shortages, though analysts say Russian supplies alone are unlikely to resolve the diesel crunch. Despite the resumption of shipments, global fuel prices are expected to remain under pressure due to tight supplies and ongoing disruptions.
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