Tankers carrying Russian diesel change course, raising doubts about shipments to US

Trump announced an agreement with Putin on Oct. 9 to make more than 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel available to U.S. and global markets

The U.S. banned Russian energy imports after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine

Two sanctioned tankers that departed Primorsk last month originally declared U.S. East Coast destinations but changed course, one toward Brazil and one into the Mediterranean

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill advised port and terminal operators to turn away ships carrying Russian fuel

Last month: Two sanctioned tankers departed Primorsk declaring U.S. East Coast destinations · Oct. 9: Trump announced agreement with Putin to make Russian diesel available to U.S. and global markets · Monday: New Jersey Gov. Sherrill sent letter warning port operators against handling Russian fuel · As of Thursday: Both tankers had changed course, one toward Brazil and one into the Mediterranean · Thursday: Treasury Department issued a statement defending its sanctions exemption as lawful

300,000 metric tons Russian diesel made available · 3 tankers tracked · April 7 expiration date of sanctions exemption · 4 years age of import ban

Neither the White House nor the Kremlin have disclosed whether the agreement was put in writing