The first batch of Russian diesel is on its way to the US

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced an agreement on the supply of Russian diesel fuel two weeks ago after a telephone conversation with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. As such, he is trying to lower fuel prices ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections.

The Maltese-flagged Agioi Fanendes loaded at the Russian Baltic Sea port of Primorsk on October 22 and is expected to arrive in the United States on November 7, according to shipping portal LSEG.

The buyer and seller of the diesel fuel are not known. The cargo will be the first import from Russia to the US since US President Joe Biden imposed a ban on imports of Russian petroleum products and gasoline in 2022.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced that further supplies will be made after the signing of the contracts currently being developed between Russian and American companies.

With the deal, Russia has also agreed to lift its own ban on diesel fuel exports.

Trump announced on October 9 that Russia will immediately export 300,000 tons or 2.25 million barrels of fuel to the US and world markets, then another 500,000 tons in November, and 1 million tons “immediately after that.”

Novak assured that Russia will be able to increase the export of diesel fuel to 3-3.5 million tons per month by the end of the year.

After the European Union imposed a total embargo on Russian oil products in February 2023 due to the war in Ukraine, Russia has so far exported diesel mainly to Brazil and Turkey, as well as to African countries, according to Reuters.