Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed today (October 23) that Russia has dispatched its first diesel-laden tanker to the United States, marking the commencement of Russian diesel supplies to the U.S. under an agreement between the two countries. LSEG shipping data shows that the Maltese-flagged tanker Agioi Fanendes loaded 40,000 tons of ultra-low sulfur diesel at Russia's Primorsk port on October 22, bound for New York Harbor, with an estimated arrival on November 7. This shipment comes as the Donald Trump administration pushes Russia to increase diesel exports to alleviate domestic fuel price pressure in the U.S. and garner voter support for the midterm elections. Donald Trump announced on October 9 that Russia would immediately export 300,000 tons of diesel, increasing to 500,000 tons in November, and further expanding to 1 million tons thereafter. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated last week that Russia is expected to restore its monthly diesel exports to the usual level of 3 million to 3.5 million tons by the end of the year.