First tanker of Russian diesel sails for the US under the Trump-Putin deal but will arrive AFTER the midterms

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 October 2026 · last updated 24 October 2026.

The Malta-flagged tanker 'Agoio Fanades' loaded 40,000 metric tons of diesel at Russia's Baltic port of Primorsk on Thursday. It is due in New York on November 7, four days after the midterm elections. The cargo covers only about 7% of the diesel America burns in a single day. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said 'regular supplies will continue'.

Volodymyr Zelensky called it 'a weak decision by strong partners'.

It will be the first Russian diesel delivered to America since July 2023.

Donald Trump says 500,000 tons will follow in November, then one million tons.