Exclusive Report - Data Shows First Batch of Russian Diesel Is Being Shipped to the U.S. After Putin and Trump Reach Agreement
路透社2026/10/23 10:07The full text adds further details and background information
Reuters, October 23 - On Friday, vessel tracking data showed that an oil tanker carrying 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel is bound for New York, following an agreement reached this month between Moscow and US President Donald Trump (link).
Trump announced this unexpected agreement (link) , planning to import Russian diesel as part of his efforts to lower soaring diesel prices ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections.
Trump has also exempted parts of a new US sanctions bill against Russia, and has threatened that unless European countries release more emergency reserves to help ease rising oil prices, the US will ban diesel exports to Europe.
According to London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) shipping data, the Malta-flagged medium-range oil tanker "Agioi Fanendes" loaded 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low sulfur diesel at Russia's Baltic port of Primorsk on October 22. The vessel is expected to arrive in the US on November 7.
The identities of the buyer and seller are currently unknown. This cargo will be among the first imports of this kind since former US President Joe Biden announced a ban on US imports of Russian oil and petroleum products in 2022.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that as Russian and US companies finalize delivery contracts, more shipments will follow.
Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev (also head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) stated last week that the US Treasury has asked the fund to help resolve difficult payment issues related to this agreement (link).
The agreement also includes Russia agreeing to lift its self-imposed ban on diesel exports.
On October 9, Trump (link) announced that Russia would immediately export 300,000 metric tons (2.25 million barrels) of diesel to the US and global markets, followed by 500,000 metric tons in November, and "shortly after"another 1 million metric tons.
Novak stated that by the end of the year, Russia will be able to restore its diesel export volume (link) to the regular level of 3-3.5 million metric tons per month .
Last week, export cargo (link) was loaded at Russia’s Baltic port of Primorsk, but the ultimate destination was not clear; LSEG shipping data shows that most tankers’ destinations are listed as Gibraltar, the Atlantic coast, or Port Said.
Since February 2023, after the European Union imposed a full embargo on Russian petroleum products over the Ukraine war, Russia has mainly exported diesel to Brazil, Turkey and African countries (link).
(To assist non-native English speakers, Reuters automatically translates its reporting into several other languages. As automated translation may be inaccurate or lack needed context, Reuters does not guarantee the accuracy of automated texts and provides them for reader convenience only. Reuters assumes no responsibility for any damage or loss caused by use of the automated translation feature.)
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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