Russian diesel exports doubled in October, but no cargo reached US under Trump deal
Russia’s diesel shipments rose after US sanctions were eased and Ukrainian refinery strikes paused, while fuel promised under Trump’s agreement with Putin had yet to arrive in the United States.
By Amit Ricci ·
Russia more than doubled its diesel exports in October following an easing of US sanctions and a pause in Ukrainian attacks on its oil refineries, according to the Financial Times. However, no fuel cargo covered by Trump’s agreement with Putin had reached the United States as of the November 12 report.
Figures from data and analytics platform Kpler showed Russian diesel exports climbing to 271,000 barrels a day in October, up from 135,000 barrels a day in September. The increase included higher deliveries to Brazil, Türkiye and other countries, even as the promised shipments to the American market had yet to arrive.
The rise followed US pressure on Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries. It also came after Trump announced an agreement with Putin on October 9 that called for fuel to be supplied immediately to both the United States and global markets. The export figures showed a sharp increase in Russian shipments during that month, but no completed delivery to the US under the agreement.
Richard Bronze, head of geopolitics at Energy Aspects, linked the export growth to Russian plants restoring production during the break in attacks. In his assessment, US pressure and the “energy ceasefire” announced by Trump helped make that recovery possible. His explanation connected the increased supply to the opportunity for refineries to resume production while strikes were paused.
The movements of individual tankers also reflected the lack of completed US deliveries. At least two vessels that had initially been sailing toward the United States changed course, the report said. Another tanker, the Agioi Fanendes, remained near the US East Coast while waiting for a buyer.
In early November, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill warned port and terminal operators that accepting Russian diesel would carry strict legal consequences. That warning preceded the November 12 report that no shipment under the Trump and Putin agreement had reached the United States.
Meanwhile, Ukraine renewed its drone attacks on Russian refineries in late October, ending the pause associated with the production recovery. Reuters reported on November 10 that Russia’s oil refining capacity had fallen by about 30% since those attacks resumed. That reported decline followed the October surge in diesel exports recorded by Kpler.
