At least three tankers transporting Russian diesel toward the United States have abruptly changed course, casting significant doubt on a deal brokered by President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Nearly a month after the October 9 announcement, not a single drop of this Russian diesel has reached American shores, despite the dire need to address fuel prices that have nearly doubled since the onset of the US-Israel conflict in Iran. But scant on details, a deal big on numbers. How much Russian diesel is now waiting to be sold. Why don’t traders want to buy Russian diesel.
Russia has dispatched four tankers loaded with diesel since the agreement was reached, but their paths suggest a lack of confidence in the final destination.
Two of these vessels, the Talisman and the Sierra Leone-flagged Leruo, originally set sail from the Baltic port of Primorsk toward the US East Coast.
By Thursday, marine tracking services Kpler and MarineTraffic reported that one was diverted toward Brazil while the other steered into the Mediterranean.
A third tanker in the North Atlantic recently changed its destination from New York to “for orders,” leaving its unloading status uncertain.
Reports further indicate that the Beast, a sanctioned Seychelles-owned tanker loaded at Primorsk in late October, is currently signaling “Atlantic” after also appearing headed for the US.
The initial deal promised that Moscow would supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes thereafter. Trump, who touted the agreement on Truth Social, cited the effort as a solution to supply shortages he attributed to Ukraine’s targeting of Russian energy facilities. According to he, Russia would make more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel available immediately to US and global markets. Which carry diesel supplies, can carry up to about 100,000 tonnes of diesel at a time, long-range product tankers. “Even if it arrives as planned, it will make very little difference to national supply,” he said. She warned that “any effort to profit from the illegal trade in Russian fuel will be met with harsh penalties.”. Moscow, however, insists the deal is on track.
This arrangement, which remains effective until April 7, represents a reversal of years of US policy enacted after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a temporary sanctions exemption, the move has triggered intense backlash from Congress, particularly following the passage of a September sanctions package. Treasury officials maintain the exemption complies with all applicable laws, yet this has not satisfied skeptics.
Uncertainty persists because both the White House and the Kremlin have remained silent on the logistics of the deal, including pricing, payment methods, and the specific companies involved. Analysts suggest the volumes offered would provide little relief to US consumers, with some estimating the first shipment represents merely two hours of domestic consumption. Retail diesel prices in the US have remained elevated, exceeding $6 per gallon since September. US retail diesel prices topped $6 a gallon ($1.59 per litre) in September – nearly twice their pre-war levels – and have remained elevated. According to “The, Shipment is equivalent to roughly two hours of US distillate consumption,” Aarathi Krishnan, CEO of Raksha Intelligence, told, referring to the first tanker to be dispatched by Russia.
Traders and port authorities are increasingly hesitant to facilitate these imports. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill recently directed port operators in her state to refuse such ships, warning that those profiting from the trade would face severe penalties. Lawmakers have also cautioned that banking and distribution entities involved in these imports could face civil or criminal liability, as well as future legislative investigations.
While the Trump administration maintains that its exemption is legally binding, industry experts note that the potential for long-term regulatory or legal fallout is discouraging buyers. Matt Smith of Kpler confirmed that significant hesitation exists regarding bringing these barrels onshore due to the inherent implications. For now, the prospect of these shipments successfully discharging at US Atlantic ports remains slim. And no court has ruled on the dispute, the Trump administration claims the exemption is lawful. Sherrill argued the Trump administration had no authority to override the ban.
Despite the observed diversions, the Kremlin continues to project confidence. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that all diesel would eventually find its buyers. Meanwhile, Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, dismissed the reports as “fake,” insisting on social media that tankers destined for the United States are continuing on their original course.
