Trump-approved Russian diesel may end up in Cuba instead of the U.S.
Despite the president's agreements, the U.S. Senate has threatened ports and banks with criminal prosecution if they accept and process this cargo
The tanker *Agioi Fanendes*, which was carrying the first batch of Russian diesel fuel to New York under a special agreement between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, abruptly changed its route and has been lingering off the coast of Denmark.
The vessel removed the U.S. as its final destination from its tracker after the U.S. Senate issued an ultimatum to the Greek shipowner and threatened leading U.S. banks and ports with criminal charges for accepting this cargo.
Earlier, the U.S. Treasury Department issued General License No. 135, permitting the import of Russian diesel until April 2027 (under the Trump-Putin agreements).
However, the Senate stated that the presidential directive does not override the 2022 Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, passed by Congress. Senator Richard Blumenthal explicitly stated: "The president can issue licenses, but only Congress can make the deal legal."
The senator sent a letter to the Greek shipowner (Eastern Mediterranean Maritime) with an ultimatum by October 31: cancel the delivery and disclose the entire chain of buyers, insurers, and intermediaries.
Simultaneously, lawmakers warned U.S. ports (New York, Houston, and others) and banks (including Goldman Sachs) that processing payments or unloading the fuel would make them accomplices to a crime, risking criminal prosecution.
Currently, two more tankers (*Leruo* and *Talisman*) carrying similar cargo are en route. Kpler estimates the total volume of these three tankers at 924,000 barrels of ultra-low-sulfur diesel. Both additional vessels are already under direct Western sanctions.
Since U.S. ports are refusing to accept the fuel due to the Senate’s threats and the vessel has changed its status to "open for orders," experts suggest the diesel may be redirected to Cuba. The island is experiencing a severe energy crisis, and Trump previously stated he "does not oppose" Russian oil supplies to Cuba despite the U.S. blockade.
