MOSCOW: Moscow announced Tuesday that three tankers carrying Russian diesel are heading to the United States, with a fourth expected to depart on Wednesday, as part of an agreement that has drawn strong criticism from Ukraine and Europe.
The maritime tracking company Kepler confirmed Russia’s announcement, identifying the three vessels as the Talisman, Leroo and Agiou Faninides. It noted that the first is under U.S. and European sanctions, while the second is under British and European sanctions.
According to Kepler data, the three tankers are carrying approximately 924,000 barrels of diesel, equivalent to about one-third of the U.S. transportation sector’s daily consumption of the fuel.
U.S. President Donald Trump brokered a deal this month with Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease sanctions in exchange for Russia supplying diesel to global markets.
The move was seen as an attempt to lower fuel prices for American consumers ahead of the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for November 3.
