First Russian diesel tanker heads to New York after Trump's deal with Putin to lower fuel prices

A vessel carrying 40,000 tons of Russian diesel is headed for New York, the first such cargo from Russia to reach American customers since 2023. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday that the ship had departed and that regular deliveries would follow. Diesel currently costs more than $6 per gallon domestically, and Republicans had been urging President Donald Trump to bring prices down before the midterm elections, according to Fox Business.

The shipment grows out of an October 9 arrangement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Putin pledged over 300,000 tons right away, 500,000 more in November and 1,000,000 shortly afterward. On Truth Social, Trump said Russia would ultimately send 3,000,000 tons, and he paired the news with his claim of total control over the Strait of Hormuz. He also eased most sanctions on Russia and on buyers of its fuel under the Graham Act.

Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arnold Punaro, speaking to Fox News, said the tanker's load would cover only a few hours of national demand. He backed lower fuel costs as a goal but objected to buying from Russia while it bombs Kyiv, and urged the administration to turn the ship around.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox Business’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox Business →