Trump exempts Russian diesel imports from sanctions, three tankers to arrive in the U.S. next week sparking legal controversy.

October 27 — Three tankers carrying approximately 140,000 tons of Russian diesel are expected to arrive in the United States successively between November 7 and 11. The imports are based on a sanctions waiver arrangement reached by Trump and Russian President Putin on October 9, but some of the vessels have been placed on sanctions lists by the UK, the EU, and Canada, and the related transactions have raised concerns in the U.S. Congress over legal compliance and national security risks.

Ship tracking data shows that the Greek-flagged tanker Agioi Fanendes is expected to arrive in New York on November 7, and the Talisman is expected to arrive on the U.S. East Coast on November 9; the Leruo, which has been sanctioned by the UK, the EU, and Canada, is expected to arrive on the U.S. Atlantic coast on November 11. If the first tanker discharges its cargo smoothly, it will be the first batch of Russian diesel or gasoil to reach the United States since July 2023.

Several bipartisan U.S. senators have sent letters to executives of banks, ports, and fuel distributors, warning that the related transactions may face legal action and congressional investigations, and that non-compliant companies may bear criminal and civil liability. Lawyers pointed out that even if the U.S. president has the authority to approve a temporary waiver, involving tankers sanctioned by allies may still create complex compliance issues.

The waiver is intended to ease pressure from rising U.S. diesel prices, but market participants question whether Russia can sustainably deliver the promised supply volumes, and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refining facilities may still affect production capacity.