First Russian diesel shipment heads to New York after Putin-Trump deal

A tanker carrying 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel is en route to New York, following an agreement announced by U.S. President Donald Trump this month, according to maritime tracking data published Friday. The shipment marks the first Russian oil product import to the U.S. since the 2022 ban. The Maltese-flagged vessel "Agioi Fanendes" was loaded on October 22 at the Russian Baltic port of Primorsk and is expected to arrive in the U.S. on November 7. Trump announced the deal on October 9 as part of efforts to lower soaring diesel prices ahead of the November 3 congressional elections, also suspending sanctions provisions and threatening Europe with export bans. Russia has pledged 300,000 metric tons immediately, 500,000 tons in November, and one million tons shortly after. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed additional deliveries are being negotiated, while U.S. Treasury has requested Russian sovereign fund assistance with payment issues.