First Russian Diesel Shipment To US Since 2023 As 3 Tankers Set Sail Under Trump-Putin Deal

Three tankers carrying Russian diesel set sail from the Russian port of Primorsk and are heading towards North America, marking the first such delivery to the United States since 2023. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced the development as Moscow prepares to resume fuel supplies to the US under a new import agreement.

The shipment comes about two weeks after US President Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin following a phone call between the two leaders. The agreement is seen as an attempt by Trump to ease high fuel prices in the US ahead of the midterm elections.

“The first three fuel tankers are already on their way to the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean, with significant support

from the RDIF (Russian Direct Investment Fund),” Reuters quoted Novak as saying.

According to marine intelligence firm Kpler, one of the tankers signalled on Friday that it was headed to New York and was expected to arrive on November 7, the Associated Press reported.

40,000 Tonnes Of Diesel In First Shipment

The first shipment comprises three tankers carrying around 40,000 tonnes of diesel, equivalent to approximately 300,000 barrels, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency, citing Novak. The volume is equivalent to roughly 7 per cent of the four million barrels of diesel the US consumes daily, according to the Associated Press.

Earlier this week, Novak said Russian companies could supply 500,000 metric tonnes of diesel to the US in October. Trump, while announcing the agreement, had said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes thereafter.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also confirmed the departure of the first shipment, saying the first tanker had sailed to customers and that regular supplies would continue.

Russia Diesel Deal Draws Criticism In US, Ukraine

The agreement has drawn criticism in both the US and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the move a “weak decision by strong partners”, while lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties criticised the deal.

The resumption of diesel supplies also marks a shift in the Trump administration’s approach to Russian energy trade. Last month, Trump signed into law a sanctions package that included provisions for tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major purchasers of Russian energy. The measures were subsequently put on hold.

The shipment comes amid deteriorating relations between Trump and Zelensky, with the US President accusing his Ukrainian counterpart of not wanting to end the war with Russia.