Russian diesel shipment heads to New York under Trump sanctions waiver
A Maltese-flagged tanker carrying nearly 300,000 barrels of Russian diesel departed the Baltic port of Primorsk overnight and is navigating European waters toward New York, with arrival scheduled for around November 7. The shipment directly affects global energy markets and American fuel consumers as Washington eases sanctions under an agreement between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at reducing US fuel prices ahead of next month’s mid-term elections.
US sanctions eased as Moscow pledges over 1.8 million tonnes of fuel shipments
The tanker Agioi Fanendes loaded its cargo at Russia‘s Primorsk oil terminal before setting its destination to New York on AIS transponder signals tracked by maritime data firm Kpler. Following a telephone call between the two leaders, Trump stated that Russia would supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to US and global markets, followed by an additional 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes in subsequent shipments.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the initial departure on Friday, stating that further shipments will continue at a steady pace to commercial buyers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the arrangement as an act that provides financial support to Moscow’s military operations, while US special envoy Steve Witkoff held separate discussions with Ukrainian and Russian leadership this week ahead of tripartite talks planned to resume in Abu Dhabi next month.
