Two out of three tankers slated to transport Russian fuel to the United States have reportedly changed their courses, putting a supposed diesel import agreement between US leader Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at risk of failure, according to the Financial Times.

FT reports indicate that the Russian tanker Talisman and the Hong Kong-owned, Sierra Leone-flagged vessel Leruo no longer list the US Atlantic coast as their destination. Leruo headed toward Brazil, while Talisman entered the Mediterranean Sea and is currently idling near the Algerian coast, broadcasting an "orders pending" signal. This status indicates that the shipments currently lack a confirmed buyer or designated port of delivery, with both vessels remaining under European regime sanctions.

Meanwhile, a third vessel—the Agioi Fanendes, operated by Greek shipping firm Eastern Mediterranean Maritime—continues its voyage toward the US but is also transmitting the ambiguous "orders pending" signal. Kpler analyst Matt Smith noted that American buyers are exercising overt caution due to regulatory compliance demands, legal hurdles, and sanction-related risks, making a potential last-minute diversion to US ports unsurprising.

Against this backdrop of logistical uncertainty, the domestic fuel situation in the United States remains strained. Diesel futures have surged by more than 60 percent since the outbreak of conflict involving Iran. By early November 2026, average diesel prices at US retail stations climbed to nearly $6.30 per gallon, translating to approximately $1.66 per liter and compounding financial pressures on consumers.

Source: kun.uz