Key facts
- First Russian diesel shipment under a Putin-Trump deal is heading to the US.
- Tanker Agioi Fanendes loaded 40,000 metric tons of diesel in Primorsk on October 22.
- The shipment is expected to arrive in the US on November 7.
- The deal involves Russia lifting a self-imposed ban on diesel exports.
- Trump announced Russia would export 300,000 metric tons to the US and global markets initially.
The first shipment of Russian diesel bound for the United States under a new agreement between Moscow and US President Donald Trump is en route, according to ship-tracking data. The Malta-flagged tanker Agioi Fanendes loaded 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low sulphur diesel in Russia's Baltic port of Primorsk on October 22 and is expected to arrive in the US on November 7.
Trump announced the deal this month, aiming to lower soaring diesel prices ahead of the US midterm elections. The agreement involves Russia lifting a self-imposed ban on diesel exports. This cargo would be the first imported by the US since former President Joe Biden banned Russian oil and petroleum products in 2022.
A Kremlin spokesperson confirmed the departure of the first ship, while Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that additional shipments would follow as companies finalize contracts. Russia aims to return its diesel exports to usual levels of 3-3.5 million tons per month by year-end.