Russia names date for sending first diesel tanker to US
Russia plans to send its first tanker with diesel fuel to the US on Thursday, October 22. This is to mark the start of direct supplies of Russian oil products to the American market following agreements between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin and a temporary easing of American sanctions.
This was announced by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
According to Novak, the first tanker is supposed to leave a Russian port on October 22. The official specified that the vessel's deadweight is 40,000 tons. He did not announce the tanker's name, port of departure, or expected arrival date in the US.
The Russian deputy prime minister also said that following the first voyage, more supplies should follow. Moscow plans to meet the needs of American buyers within the capabilities of its refineries.
At the same time, commercial contracts for diesel supplies have not yet been finalized. Novak said they are in the final stage of signing. Therefore, the announced departure date remains a plan of the Russian side, not confirmation of the actual start of the voyage.
According to the official, Russia cannot yet resume diesel fuel exports in full due to limited refinery capacities. Moscow expects a return to previous levels closer to the end of the year.
After that, Russian authorities plan to increase supplies to other countries as well. Earlier, Novak stated an intention to bring diesel exports to 3-3.5 million tons per month, although international analysts doubted the ability to quickly ramp up production because of damage to Russian refineries.
US permit for Russian diesel imports
On October 9, US President Donald Trump, after a phone call with Putin, announced agreements on supplying Russian diesel fuel to the American and global markets. Washington explained this by the need to increase fuel supply amid high energy prices.
The same day, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Treasury (OFAC) issued General License No. 135, which temporarily allows transactions involving the sale, delivery, offloading, and import of diesel fuel of Russian origin, including to the United States.
The authorization is valid until April 7, 2027. At the same time, it does not mean the complete lifting of US sanctions against the Russian energy sector.
Earlier, it was reported that after the easing of restrictions Russia has already begun sending diesel fuel to Turkey and Brazil. Now Moscow has announced the first direct supply to the American market.
US Congress attempts to block agreements
Meanwhile, the resumption of trade in Russian diesel has provoked objections from some American lawmakers.
On October 16, Congressman Gregory Meeks, together with a group of colleagues, introduced the Prohibit Corrupt Russia Oil Deals Act. The bill provides for canceling the relevant sanctions authorizations of the US Treasury, banning the issuance of new licenses for such operations, and additional restrictions on the Russian energy sector.
The authors of the initiative believe that resuming purchases of Russian oil products could increase Moscow's revenues, which it uses to finance the war against Ukraine.
However, the bill has so far only been submitted to Congress and does not cancel the current permit for the trade of Russian diesel.
Thus, if the voyage announced by Novak takes place, it will be a new stage in the implementation of agreements between Washington and Moscow. At the same time, the actual departure of the tanker, final signing of contracts, and fuel delivery times require separate confirmation.Russia names date for sending first diesel tanker to US
Based on materials from: US Treasury, US House Foreign Affairs Committee.
