Trump-Putin deal on Russian diesel under threat – media

US President Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel fuel has run into problems. American companies are reluctant to buy the fuel due to the risks associated with sanctions, and no buyer has yet publicly confirmed its readiness to accept the cargo.

This is reported by Bloomberg.

Trump announced the deal with Putin in October, which would deliver about 36 million barrels of diesel fuel to the United States and other countries, as the administration tries to contain rising energy prices that have soared due to the Iran war.

The White House continues to support the agreement, despite criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. At the same time, oil traders doubt that Russian fuel will even enter the American market.

According to Bloomberg, several large traders and potential buyers have already refused to import Russian diesel. The companies fear legal problems and reputational damage.

In particular, the American oil refining company Phillips 66 directly stated that it does not plan to buy fuel from Russia.

Meanwhile, traders are already offering Russian diesel to Brazilian distributors, casting doubt on the possibility of at least one of the four ships Moscow claims to be carrying the fuel being unloaded in the United States.

“From what we understand, private companies are very reluctant to agree to work with these batches of Russian diesel fuel due to significant legal and reputational risks,” explained Rapidan Energy Group founder Bob McNally.

The main problem lies in US law. Although the US Treasury Department granted an exemption from sanctions on October 9, companies are unsure whether this permission can override a 2022 law that bans imports of Russian oil and petroleum products.