In brief

• US diesel prices rose slightly after Trump announced a deal with Moscow on Russian fuel supplies.
• A tanker with over 300,000 barrels left Russia without a confirmed US destination, and analysts doubt Russia can meet promised volumes.
• Democratic senators sent letters to banks and ports asking them to preserve records, and they plan a probe if they regain Congress.

Prices rose after the announcement

According to the American Automobile Association, the average price of a gallon of diesel stood at $6.35 on October 28. On October 9, when Trump announced the arrangement with Vladimir Putin, the average was $6.28, a rise of 7 cents. (Трамп домовився з Путіним, але щось пішло не так: що сталося з цінами на пальне у США – TSN) (Угода Трампа з Путіним не здешевила дизель у США: ціни ще більше зросли, – WSJ – Espreso)

A tanker with uncertain destination

Last week a tanker carrying more than 300,000 barrels of diesel left the Russian port of Primorsk. It first listed New York as its destination, then changed the entry to "for orders," meaning no confirmed unloading port exists yet.

Limited volumes

Analysts doubt Russia can deliver the promised quantities, citing problems at refineries after Ukrainian strikes and existing export restrictions on fuel. Even if the deal is carried out, flows would be small against a global diesel shortage. Expected supply is about 100,000 barrels a day in October and around 125,000 barrels a day in November, compared with roughly 800,000 barrels a day that Russia exported in 2025.

Senator warns shipping firms

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, warned shipping companies to reroute tankers carrying Russian diesel to US ports, calling the fuel illegal. He wrote to the head of Greek firm EASTMED about the tanker Agioi Fanendes, which carries about 40,000 tons and is due in New York and New Jersey on November 7, and asked for information on all parties to the deal by October 31. ("Розвертайтеся, поки не пізно": сенатор США пригрозив суднам із російським дизелем – UNIAN) ("Розверніться, поки ще є час": сенатор США вимагає зупинити постачання російського дизеля – TSN) («Ни один президент не может отменить закон». Сенатор Блюменталь требует развернуть танкер с российским дизельным топливом, следующий в Нью-Йорк – NV) He argued that a 2022 law banning Russian oil imports cannot be overridden by a presidential license, and that only Congress can change it.

Democrats prepare an investigation

Democratic senators, led by Jeanne Shaheen with Republican Tom Tillis joining, sent letters on October 24 to six large banks, including JPMorgan, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs, and to port authorities in Texas and New York and New Jersey. The letters ask them to preserve contracts, shipping records and correspondence related to possible imports of Russian diesel, and to confirm this by October 28. (Демократи готують розслідування угоди Трампа щодо російського дизеля — Axios – TSN) (Конгрес готує розслідування дизельної угоди Трампа з Путіним: банки й порти мають зберегти всі документи, — Axios – Espreso) (ЗМІ: демократи просять банки США зберігати записи щодо експорту дизелю з РФ для розслідування – Європейська правда) Signatories include Senators Chris Coons, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Representative Greg Meeks. Should Democrats win control of Congress, the probe is expected to be a priority.