Trump-Putin diesel deal stalls as tankers turn away from US shores

Nearly a month after Trump and Putin agreed on Russian diesel supplies, no shipment has reached the United States: Kpler data show tankers bound for the US East Coast have changed course. American buyers fear legal risks because a congressional ban remains in effect.

At least three tankers carrying Russian diesel and heading to the United States have changed course, casting doubt on the agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Al Jazeera reported, citing data from analytics firm Kpler and the MarineTraffic service.

The tankers Talisman and Leruo departed the Baltic port of Primorsk with the U.S. East Coast listed as their destination. According to the latest data, one headed for Brazil and the other for the Mediterranean. Another vessel in the North Atlantic changed its destination from New York to “awaiting orders,” leaving its discharge port open.

Танкер для перевозки нефтепродуктов в Балтийском море

Trump announced the agreement after a phone call with Putin on October 9, saying Russia would immediately provide the markets of the United States and the world with more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel, followed by another 500,000 tons in November and then 1 million tons. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a temporary sanctions exemption allowing Russian diesel imports until April 7.

However, the congressional ban on Russian energy imports, imposed in 2022, remains in effect. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill urged operators of the state's ports and terminals not to accept vessels carrying the fuel. “Clearly, there is hesitation about unloading these barrels onshore because of the possible consequences,” said Kpler analyst Matt Smith.

U.S. diesel prices exceeded $6 per gallon in September, nearly twice the level before the war between the United States and Israel and Iran began. Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev called reports that the tankers had changed course “fake,” saying that tankers bound for the United States were continuing on their way. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “all the diesel fuel will find buyers.”

Trump-Putin diesel deal stalls as tankers turn away from US shores