Russia says three diesel tankers are already heading to the United States, with a fourth due to leave on October 28. The shipments are part of a deal Donald Trump announced with Vladimir Putin that has drawn criticism from Kyiv and Europe and was meant to help ease fuel prices for American consumers before the November 3 midterm elections.

Three ships are already at sea

Alexander Novak, Russia's deputy prime minister, said on October 27 in Moscow that three vessels carrying Russian diesel were en route to the US. He said a fourth ship had not yet left and was expected to depart the next day.

The announcement adds a fresh update to a trade move that has already put Russian fuel on the water. The first tanker left Russian waters the previous week, and Kpler, the maritime-tracking company, said it had loaded almost 300,000 barrels of diesel at Primorsk, Russia's Baltic Sea export terminal, before heading for New York.

Trump's deal with Putin set the schedule

Trump announced a diesel deal with Putin earlier this month. Under the arrangement described by Trump, Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to US and global markets.

Trump said Russia would then send another 500,000 tonnes in November, followed by 1 million tonnes immediately after that, and a further 3 million tonnes in the short term depending on the condition of Russian refineries. Putin said the deliveries would benefit the world economy.

Kyiv warns the move could help Moscow

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, criticised the deal and warned that easing restrictions on Russian diesel exports could help finance Russia's war effort. The agreement has again strained relations between Kyiv and Washington.

Novak also said he was surprised by opposition from some US Democrats, arguing that they were acting against the interests of American residents. The measure was intended to reduce fuel prices for American consumers, while Zelensky warned that easing restrictions could help finance Russia's war effort.

Moscow keeps Europe in the picture

Novak used the same appearance in Moscow to say Russia was ready to resume gas supplies to Europe if European countries wanted them. He said Russia could sell its gas elsewhere if Europe refused it, pointing to years of infrastructure investment for markets where demand is still rising.

He also said the long-term future of the Nord Stream pipelines would probably remain relevant. Nord Stream is the Russian gas link under the Baltic Sea that was central to Europe’s energy debate before the war in Ukraine.