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Exclusive-Russian diesel heads to US after Putin-Trump deal, data shows - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Exclusive-Russian diesel heads to US after Putin-Trump deal, data shows

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 23, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: October 23, 2026

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Russian Diesel Shipment Arrives in US After Putin-Trump Fuel Agreement

Overview of the Russian Diesel Shipment and Fuel Agreement

Background of the Shipment

Oct 23 (Reuters) - A Malta-flagged tanker carrying 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel is heading towards New York following an agreement with US President Donald Trump, LSEG data showed on Friday.

US Policy Actions and Market Impact

Trump's Moves to Lower Diesel Prices

Trump has made several moves hoping to bring down diesel prices ahead of November 3 US mid-term elections including waiving parts of a new sanctions law against Russia and threatening Europe with a US diesel export ban unless countries released more from their emergency reserves.

Details of the Tanker and Cargo

The medium-sized tanker Agioi Fanendes was loaded with 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low sulphur diesel in the Russian Baltic port of Primorsk on October 22, according to shipping data. It is expected to arrive in the United States on November 7.

Putin-Trump Agreement and Russian Export Policy

Terms of the Fuel Agreement

Russia agreed to lift a self-imposed ban on diesel exports and supply the fuel to global markets, including the US, after the agreement reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump.

Export Volumes and Timeline

Immediate and Future Diesel Exports

Trump announced on October 9 that Russia would immediately export 300,000 metric tons, or 2.25 million barrels, followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons "immediately thereafter".

Projected Export Capacity

Russia will be able to increase diesel exports to between 3 million tons and 3.5 million tons per month by year-end, the country's usual export volume of the fuel, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said last week.

Global Diesel Trade Routes and Destinations

Recent Russian Diesel Shipments

Last week, export diesel cargoes were loaded in the Russian Baltic port of Primorsk, but their final destinations are not clear, with most vessel are signalling Gibraltar, the Atlantic Coast or Port-Said, according to LSEG shipping data.

Impact of EU Embargo on Russian Oil Products

Since the full EU embargo on import of Russian oil products came into effect in February 2023 over the war in Ukraine, Russia has exported diesel mainly to Brazil and Turkey, as well as to an African countries.

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Philippa Fletcher and Jason Neely)

Key Takeaways

  • A tanker, Agioi Fanendes, loaded 40,000 mt diesel on Oct 22 from Primorsk, bound for New York on Nov 7 as part of a deal with Trump (Reuters)
  • Trump lifted parts of U.S. sanctions to lower diesel prices before the Nov 3 mid‑term elections; deal calls for 300,000 mt in October, 500,000 mt in November, and 1 million mt thereafter (Reuters)
  • Deputy PM Alexander Novak says Russia can scale diesel exports back to 3–3.5 million mt per month by end‑2026, restoring pre‑crisis levels (Reuters)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Russian diesel heading to the US?
A deal between Putin and Trump allowed Russian diesel shipments to the US to help lower domestic diesel prices.
How much Russian diesel is being imported?
A Malta-flagged tanker is delivering 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel to New York.
When is the Russian diesel expected to arrive in the US?
The diesel tanker loaded in Primorsk on October 22 is expected to arrive in the US on November 7.
What changes have been made to sanctions laws?
President Trump waived parts of new sanctions on Russia to allow the import and help reduce diesel prices.
Where has Russia been exporting diesel since EU sanctions?
Since the EU embargo, Russia has mainly exported diesel to Brazil, Turkey, and some African countries.

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