The tanker, christened "Krasnoarmeysk", departed Novorossiysk after a brief inspection, bound for New York’s East River.
Trump signed the deal with Putin a fortnight earlier, citing soaring U.S. fuel costs ahead of the midterm elections. The agreement guarantees millions of additional tons of Russian diesel in the coming months.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, slammed the pact as a ‘weak decision by strong partners’ and warned that it undermines sanctions meant to cripple Moscow’s war machine.
Both Republican and Democratic congress members have raised legal concerns, arguing the deal violates the Export‑Control Regulations and could expose the U.S. to sanctions retaliation.
A New York fuel distributor, Maria Lopez, said the influx might lower truckers’ rates, which have spiked to $3.50 per gallon, easing the burden on families reliant on diesel.
Lawmakers are slated to hold a Senate Committee hearing next month to scrutinise the logistics and legality of the fuel transfer, while the Treasury will assess compliance under the Trade‑Deficit Act.