First Tanker of Russian Diesel Heads to New York Under Trump-Putin Deal
A Malta-flagged tanker carrying 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel is bound for New York, the first shipment under a deal between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin says more shipments will follow at a steady pace.
A Malta-flagged tanker carrying 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel is heading to New York, the first shipment under an agreement between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring Russian fuel into the United States.
Shipping data from LSEG tracked the vessel en route on Friday, according to Reuters, which reported that the tanker is the first to be sent to the U.S. after Trump announced the diesel-import deal.
Kremlin says more shipments will follow
The Kremlin confirmed the shipment on Friday and said further tankers are on the way. “As far as I’m aware, there have already been reports from the Ministry of Energy that the first tanker has, in fact, set sail for its recipients, its buyers. Further shipments will continue at a steady pace from here on,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a daily conference call.
Russia agreed to lift a self-imposed ban on diesel exports and supply the fuel to world markets, including the United States, in an effort to lower fuel prices after the agreement between Putin and Trump, Reuters reported.
The shipment arrives less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, as the White House pushes for lower fuel costs. Trump reached the diesel deal with Putin as part of that effort, and the Kremlin says further shipments will follow the first tanker.
Reporting based on coverage by Reuters.
