Russian diesel tanker heads to the U.S., the first since Trump’s deal with Putin

A tanker loaded with diesel fuel set sail Friday from Russia for the United States, the first shipment since President Donald Trump agreed a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release more fuel into the global market.

Trump eased some sanctions on the Kremlin two weeks ago and has since waived more, reversing years of American policy despite Moscow’s ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine in an apparent bid to lower prices ahead of the Midterm elections.

The ship’s departure for the U.S. was confirmed by the Kremlin. The tanker, a Malta-flagged shipped named “Agioi Fanendes,” left a port in Russia’s Primorsk today, according to MarineTraffic tracking data reviewed by NBC News. The ship listed New York as its destination.

Energy Aspects, a market intelligence firm, said that it had confirmed with its industry sources that the ship loaded up 298,000 barrels of diesel in Primorsk.

The firm said that currently the ship plans to unload that fuel in New York. It is expected to arrive on Tuesday, November 10.

The ship’s expected arrival would put it just after the midterm elections. Trump’s Republican party is on edge for potentially heavy losses in House and Senate seats its candidates are…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business