US ports to get Russian diesel this month as sanctions pause
The vessels carry half a million metric tonnes of fuel under a sanctions waiver agreed by President Trump, with the first ship due to arrive in November.
By Yasmin Duda ·
Three tankers loaded with Russian diesel are currently traveling toward the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. Speaking on Friday, Novak stated that the vessels are part of a deal allowing Russian companies to supply 500,000 metric tonnes of fuel to US and global markets in October.
The agreement was announced earlier this month by US President Donald Trump. Under the terms, Russia agreed to export diesel to help lower fuel prices, while the US agreed to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian fuel. Novak said the Russian Direct Investment Fund provided significant support for the logistics of the shipment.
Reuters identified one of the vessels as the Agioi Fanendes, a medium-sized tanker flying the flag of Malta. The ship is loaded with ultra-low sulphur diesel and is expected to reach United States ports on 7 November.
This fuel movement occurs as the White House announced a separate ceasefire agreement for the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. The White House stated on Friday that both sides will halt military operations in the city starting 27 October. This pause is intended to allow aid delivery and prepare for the evacuation of civilians who face severe shortages of food, water, and electricity.
An estimated 2,000 people remain in Oleshky, which has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the US agreed to hold technical-level meetings in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November. A US official added that leaders might meet in either Abu Dhabi or Switzerland within a couple of weeks.
The diplomatic efforts follow recent tensions between Washington and Kyiv. These include US restrictions on the Starlink communication system used by Ukraine for defense. Trump said he would resolve any remaining access issues with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk if necessary. Meanwhile, EU leaders met in Brussels to press UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham for greater financial support for Ukraine's defense.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that repairs to power infrastructure near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant were completed under a temporary ceasefire. The work strengthened the connection to the Ferosplavna-1 line, reducing the risk of another loss of external power at the facility.
Novak confirmed the tankers are already underway, marking the first phase of the fuel delivery arrangement between the two nations.
Source: The Guardian
