The key facts
- Two of the three tankers carrying Russian diesel bound for the US changed course
- Peskov: the shipments are commercial, details are not public, the agreements will be fulfilled
- The deal envisaged more than 300,000 tons of fuel, with another 500,000 tons in November
Tankers change course and the Kremlin responds
The Financial Times reported that two of the three tankers carrying Russian diesel fuel bound for the United States have changed course and are now heading to other regions. The outlet suggests the reason may have been the caution of American buyers, who fear legal consequences and sanctions risks. This was reported by Life.ru citing the FT publication.
What the Kremlin said
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, answering journalists' questions about the tankers' change of course, assured that the agreements on the diesel deal remain in place and will be fulfilled.
Context of the deal
The deliveries began after an agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American leader Donald Trump on October 9. Washington allowed operations with Russian diesel, hoping to curb rising global fuel prices. Under the terms of the agreements, Moscow was to supply more than 300,000 tons of fuel to the American and world markets, with another 500,000 tons to be delivered in November. Thus, the change of course by the two tankers occurred after the shipments envisaged by the deal had already begun; the final reasons for the vessels deviating from their route and their new destinations are not named in the publications — Financial Times merely suggests buyer caution as a possible cause.
