At least three tankers that loaded Russian diesel for the United States have altered course, casting doubt on the October arrangement President Donald Trump struck with Vladimir Putin to ease fuel prices.

Nearly a month after Trump said Russia would free more than three hundred thousand tonnes of diesel for US and global markets, with larger volumes to follow, none of that fuel has reached American ports. Retail diesel prices had nearly doubled since the start of the wider Middle East war and remain elevated.

Vessel tracking shows the Russian tanker Talisman and the Sierra Leone flagged Leruo left the Baltic port of Primorsk with US East Coast destinations, then headed toward Brazil and the Mediterranean. A third ship in the North Atlantic switched its destination to for orders. A fourth, sanctioned tanker loaded at Primorsk has been signalling an Atlantic route.

The Treasury issued a temporary sanctions exemption to allow sales, delivery and imports until 7 April, angering lawmakers who passed a fresh sanctions package in September. Congress's ban on Russian energy imports remains on the books, leaving traders exposed to civil or criminal risk and future investigations.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill told port and terminal operators in her state to refuse the ships and warned that profits from illegal Russian fuel trade would meet harsh penalties. She argued the White House cannot override the statutory ban. No court has yet settled the dispute.

Analysts note even the first advertised shipment would equal only about two hours of US distillate demand. Moscow insists buyers will be found and that reports of diversions are false. For now, legal fear appears to be keeping Russian diesel off the American seaboard.