Russia Is Selling Diesel to the United States Now? Run That by Me Again.
A 40,000-ton Russian diesel cargo is headed to the U.S. The U.S. already exports diesel. Dez is confused, and so should you be.
By Dez Marlowe ·
Russia is shipping diesel to America. On purpose.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the first tanker, carrying 40,000 tons of Russian diesel, was set to leave for the United States on Thursday, Oct. 22, according to TASS. Russia lifted its diesel export ban on Oct. 9 after a deal with President Trump, CNA reported. "Further shipments will follow, of course," Novak said.
Trump has said Russia would export 300,000 tons immediately and 500,000 tons in November, per CNA. At talks in St. Petersburg, special envoy Steve Witkoff thanked Putin for lifting the restrictions. "That's an example of us working together," Witkoff said.
Here's what gets me. CNA reported the United States already exports about 1.5 million barrels of diesel a day. We sell the stuff. Now we're buying it from the country our ally Ukraine is fighting, and CNA reported the deal led to a sharp deterioration in U.S.-Ukraine ties.
What we still don't know: which port the cargo leaves from, who's buying it, and whether the 300,000 tons ever actually show up.
Sources
Dez Marlowe is a Boston Uncut reporter covering Boston, Massachusetts, national and world news.