A deal negotiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to export Russian diesel to the United States is encountering serious difficulties. Two of the three ships originally set to deliver Russian diesel to America’s East Coast have altered course. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are warning ports and companies about potential legal consequences if they unload sanctioned fuel.
The agreement, designed to boost supply and ease rising diesel prices on the U.S. market, has yet to result in a confirmed shipment to the United States. The situation highlights the ongoing clash between Washington’s energy interests and its sanctions regime against Moscow.
Two Tankers No Longer Heading to the U.S.
Attention has focused on three tankers that departed from the Russian port of Primorsk in October carrying diesel. According to maritime tracking firms, two of those ships have changed their initially stated destinations.
The sanctioned tanker Talisman, instead of continuing across the Atlantic, entered the Mediterranean Sea. Its current destination remains unclear and the vessel is reportedly awaiting further instructions.
The second ship, the Leruo, switched its declared destination to Brazil. The third tanker, Agioi Fanendes, is still heading towards New York, but there is no confirmed information on where it will ultimately unload its cargo.
Analysts say the uncertain stance of American buyers may be behind the shift. These companies are wary of the legal and sanctions-related risks of taking on Russian diesel.
Trump’s Deal Promised Hundreds of Thousands of Tons of Fuel
Trump announced the agreement with Putin on October 9, stating that Russia would immediately make more than 300,000 tons of diesel available to U.S. and global markets. Further deliveries were expected soon after.
Washington’s move responded to mounting pressure on the U.S. fuel market, as diesel prices surged amid global energy disruptions and supply constraints caused by conflicts and trade limitations.
The deal, however, drew criticism as soon as it was announced. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. banned imports of Russian energy. The exception planned for these deliveries led to questions over whether the administration could bypass a sanctions regime enacted by Congress.
This is part of a broader backdrop of previous talks between Moscow and Washington about resuming trade in Russian energy resources. (Read more: Russian diesel may be heading to the US. Moscow is negotiating contracts despite sanctions.)
U.S. States and Lawmakers Raise Legal Concerns
One of the major obstacles has been a wave of warnings from American officials. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has called on port and terminal operators to refuse docking to ships carrying Russian fuel.
In her letter, she warned that companies involved in trade deemed illegal could face severe penalties. She also argued that, in her view, the federal administration lacks the authority to unilaterally waive the import ban imposed by Congress.
Criticism has also come from the U.S. Senate. A group of lawmakers from both parties has urged Trump to abandon the deal, warning that buying Russian diesel would funnel more revenue to Moscow during its ongoing war against Ukraine.
The administration, for its part, insists that the temporary authorization for trade complies with existing laws. The U.S. Treasury Department defends an exemption to sanctions, which covers the sale, transport, unloading, and import of Russian diesel.
Moscow Claims Shipments Are Continuing
The Kremlin denies reports that the deal is collapsing. Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s special envoy, dismissed reports of diverted tankers as false and insisted that vessels bound for the U.S. are continuing on schedule.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was tight-lipped on specifics of the trades, saying these are commercial matters that cannot be disclosed in detail. He nevertheless stated that Russian diesel “will find its buyers.”
At this stage, however, there is no confirmation that any shipments under the deal have actually been unloaded at a U.S. port. Ongoing uncertainty about buyers and final destinations remains a key reason why the proposed trade has become complicated. (Source: Houston Chronicle)
Russian Diesel Production Faces Its Own Problems
Russia is also struggling with complications in its own refining sector. Ukrainian drone attacks on energy infrastructure have again hit several refineries, increasing pressure on domestic fuel supplies.
Recent reports say the Ryazan refinery was among those attacked. Previous refinery damage has already forced Moscow to limit fuel exports in order to secure the domestic market.
This could further hinder Russia’s ability to deliver diesel abroad in the quantities politicians have promised. The challenges are not limited to American companies’ willingness to accept shipments, but extend to the stability and export capacity of Russian production itself. (Source: Reuters)
So Far, the Deal Has Not Delivered
Trump’s initiative was meant to reduce fuel price pressures in the United States, but its actual benefits remain unclear. If the tankers do not reach U.S. buyers, the proposed shipments may have no immediate impact on the domestic market.
The issue is also politically sensitive. Any deal involving Russian diesel could spark further clashes among the White House, Congress, and state officials. For Moscow, the agreement is an opportunity to revive exports and earn revenue, while critics warn it could ease economic pressure on Russia.
The coming days will show whether the Agioi Fanendes tanker actually enters New York and if any part of the planned deliveries can be realized. For now, the Trump-Putin agreement has yet to deliver tangible results for the U.S. market.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
