President Donald Trump’s October arrangement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume diesel shipments faces fresh uncertainty as Ukrainian drone strikes target Russian refineries and legal challenges threaten the first potential deliveries to the United States.
Ukraine Renews Attacks On Major Russian Refineries
Asked Thursday about a 2022 law potentially prohibiting Russian diesel imports, Trump said, “Then it probably makes it a pretty bad law. I will take a look at it.” His remarks followed reports of tankers changing course despite an October agreement intended to ease soaring fuel prices.
Reuters’ video analysis indicated that an overnight drone attack may have struck Russia’s Ryazan refinery, southeast of Moscow. Another strike targeted the Yaroslavl plant earlier this week, ending a pause in attacks that had helped Russian refiners restore output.
Earlier Ukrainian strikes knocked processing capacity offline and worsened domestic shortages, prompting Moscow to restrict fuel exports. Russia subsequently partially lifted its diesel ban following Trump’s agreement with President Vladimir Putin, under which Moscow pledged shipments to global markets.
Russian Diesel Tankers Face Fresh Legal Hurdles
Kpler and LSEG data showed at least six Russian diesel cargoes signaling transatlantic voyages, although two appeared to change course. None had reached the United States as of Thursday.
A tanker carrying 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel initially indicated New York as its destination, but its manager said unloading arrangements remained unsettled.
Kpler analyst Matt Smith warned that sanctions and regulatory obstacles could prevent unloading. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) also opposed accepting Russian fuel, while lawmakers questioned whether temporary sanctions relief could override the 2022 import ban.
Kremlin Insists Russian Diesel Will Find Buyers
“These are commercial loadings, so naturally the details cannot be made public. All the diesel will find its buyers,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev wrote in an X post on Thursday, saying, “Fake. Tankers destined for the US continue on course,” rejecting reports that shipments had changed direction.
Trump previously promised the agreement would lower fuel costs, although Goldman Sachs estimated relatively modest price relief.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright also described additional Russian shipments as a potential incentive for Moscow to pursue peace.
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