A tanker carrying Russian diesel fuel bound for the United States has departed, marking the first shipment under a newly established import agreement, according to the Kremlin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that the initial vessel has set sail but did not provide additional details. Earlier this week, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak indicated that the shipment would total approximately 40,000 tons of diesel fuel.
Marine intelligence firm Kpler identified the ship as heading toward New York, with an estimated arrival date of November 7. This delivery would be the first Russian diesel cargo to reach the United States since July 2023. The shipment represents about 300,000 barrels of diesel, roughly 7% of the United States’ estimated daily diesel consumption of 4 million barrels.
The move comes in the wake of a surprising policy shift by former President Donald Trump, who announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume imports of Russian diesel, despite ongoing tensions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The decision to restart diesel imports from Russia appears to be an attempt to alleviate high fuel prices in the United States ahead of the midterm elections.
Energy experts have expressed skepticism about the impact of the agreement on domestic fuel costs, stating that the volume of diesel arriving under the agreement is unlikely to significantly lower prices at the pump or in broader markets. Russia’s diesel production capacity has been challenged in recent months due to a series of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries, which have temporarily caused fuel shortages. Notably, Trump reportedly asked Ukraine to halt these attacks last month.
The decision to resume Russian diesel imports has sparked concern in Ukraine, where officials have been urging the international community to maintain or increase sanctions on Russia to limit its revenue streams amid the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the move, describing it as “a weak decision by strong partners.”
The diesel import agreement represents a notable reversal from earlier U.S. policy under Trump, who just weeks prior had signed a broad sanctions package mandating tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil and natural gas. However, implementation of those tariffs was later suspended. The unfolding developments reflect evolving dynamics in U.S. energy and foreign policy in response to the war in Ukraine and domestic economic pressures.