According to a report by the Financial Times on October 27, three tankers carrying Russian diesel are heading to the United States under the so-called "diesel deal" agreed upon by U.S. and Russian leaders.
The total amount of Russian diesel being imported to the U.S. is 140,000 tons. This is the first shipment approved by U.S. authorities following the "diesel deal" reached between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin on October 9.
The U.S. imposed a complete ban on imports of Russian oil products shortly after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022. However, due to rising diesel prices in the U.S., which surged from $3.66 to $6.34 per gallon over the past year amid attacks on Russian refineries and the impact of the war in Iran, the U.S. ultimately reversed its ban on imports.
In an effort to stabilize prices ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, the Trump administration is also easing related regulations, allowing the legal sale of sanctioned tankers.
Tracking data indicates that the 40,000-ton tanker Agioi Panenides is scheduled to arrive in New York on November 7. This will mark the first arrival of a Russian tanker in the U.S. since July 2023. Following that, the Russian tanker Talisman is expected to dock on the U.S. East Coast on November 9.
The third tanker, Le Roux, is owned by a Hong Kong shipping company and registered in Sierra Leone. The Financial Times reported that this vessel is on the sanctions list of the United Kingdom, European Union, and Canada.
Le Roux departed from St. Petersburg, Russia, on October 17 and is expected to arrive on the U.S. East Coast on November 11. The tanker has been involved in high-risk practices, such as turning off its tracking device and transferring cargo between ships, and was sanctioned by European authorities last year for violating the G7's price cap on Russian oil.
The use of sanctioned vessels to import Russian diesel has sparked legal and security controversies within the U.S., according to the Financial Times.
Democratic leaders and Republican Senator Thom Tillis have sent letters to U.S. banks and port authorities warning that companies involved in the import of Russian diesel could face congressional investigations and civil or criminal liability.
They criticized the agreement, stating it poses a serious national security threat as it could fund Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Trade attorney Jeremy Paner noted that while President Trump has the legal authority to issue temporary licenses for the import of Russian diesel, the intertwining of allied financial systems with U.S. shipping and port sectors could create significant issues with the arrival of sanctioned vessels.
Since the "diesel deal" was reached, the number of tankers docking at major Russian ports along the Baltic Sea has reached its highest level since November 2023.
However, energy experts predict that if Ukraine strikes Russian refineries again, it may become difficult for Russia to supply the promised quantities without disruption.
Meanwhile, the international community is increasingly voicing opposition to the U.S. actions. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, strongly criticized the move, stating, "Now is not the time to ease pressure on Russia." The Ukrainian government also urged an immediate reversal of the U.S. decision, arguing that it would bolster the Russian regime's ability to continue the war.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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