Senator Richard Blumenthal has issued a strong warning to shipping companies transporting Russian diesel fuel into U.S. ports. He highlighted that a law enacted in 2022 prohibits the importation of Russian oil and stressed that a license granted by the U.S. Treasury under former President Donald Trump does not override this legislative ban.
Addressing companies involved in the transportation of Russian diesel, Blumenthal stated, “I am sending an extremely stern warning to shipping companies whose tankers carry illegal Russian diesel fuel to our ports: turn around while you still can… Trump’s authorization does not exempt you from legal and moral responsibility. You are complicit; you help and facilitate those circumventing sanctions.”
Senator Blumenthal warns shipping companies about their responsibilities.
According to a letter published by Blumenthal, the tanker Agioi Fanendes is scheduled to arrive at the Port of New York on November 7, carrying approximately 40,000 tons of Russian diesel fuel.
Context
- On October 9, former President Donald Trump announced an agreement for the supply of Russian diesel to the U.S. and the global market. A temporary general license from OFAC will remain effective until April 7, 2027.
- Democrats criticized Trump’s decision on Russian diesel, labeling it a “complete betrayal of Ukraine” and a “failure”.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that the agreement represented “an investment in war” and considered the easing of sanctions without a clear, long-term de-escalation agreement to be “an obvious weakness”. He also expressed concern that the Ukrainian delegation was used as a mere facade during negotiations in the U.S.
- The U.S. may be preparing further easing of sanctions against Russia.
