By Salma El-Sakka
US President Donald Trump's diesel agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin is unraveling after two Russian-linked fuel tankers diverted from the US Atlantic coast this week amid sanctions pressure.
Tankers divert from US coast
The Russian-flagged Talisman and the Hong Kong-owned Leruo, which was under UK, EU, and Canadian sanctions, abandoned their declared US destinations. The Leruo switched its signal to Brazil on Monday, while the Talisman entered the Mediterranean and is now off Algeria signaling "for orders," according to the Financial Times. Two other tankers, the Greek-owned Agioi Fanendes and the Seychelles-owned Beast, continue toward the US east coast but also signal "for orders."
Deal sparks international backlash
Trump announced the deal on October 9, promising immediate Russian exports of 300,000 metric tons of diesel, with larger volumes to follow. The agreement drew sharp criticism, including from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said he felt "betrayed" and suggested a US-Ukraine diesel deal instead. Lithuania's foreign minister Kestutis Budrys called the deal "not the European way," saying it harmed transatlantic unity.
Global fuel prices surge amid Hormuz blockade
Global fuel prices have surged amid an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies passed before US-Israeli attacks began on February 28. Trump had defended the deal by accusing Europe of hypocrisy over its own Russian fuel imports, though the continent has reduced reliance on Moscow. The White House has not commented on the tanker diversions.
