First Russian diesel from Putin-Trump deal heading for US. Reuters

The first Russian diesel bound for the ‌US following a surprise agreement reached between Moscow and US President Donald Trump is aboard a tanker heading for New York, ship-tracking data showed on Friday.

Trump announced the deal this month as part of his efforts to bring down soaring diesel prices ahead of November 3 US mid-term elections.

Trump also waived parts of a new US sanctions ​law against Russia and threatened Europe with a US diesel export ban unless countries released more from their emergency ​reserves to help ease prices.

The Malta-flagged medium-sized tanker Agioi Fanendes was loaded with 40,000 metric tons ⁠of ultra-low sulphur diesel in Russia's Baltic port of Primorsk on October 22, according to LSEG shipping data. It is expected to ​arrive in the United States on November 7.

The identity of the buyer and seller were not immediately known. The cargo will ​be the first imported by the US since former President Joe Biden announced a ban on US imports of Russian oil and petroleum products in 2022.

Trump announced on October 9 that Russia would immediately export 300,000 metric tons, or 2.25 million barrels, to the US and global markets, followed ​by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons "immediately thereafter".

A Kremlin spokesperson on Friday confirmed a first ship under the ​deal had departed, but did not specify whether it was bound for the US market or elsewhere.

"As far as I'm aware, there have already ‌been ⁠reports from the Ministry of Energy that the first tanker has, in fact, set sail for its recipients, its buyers. Further shipments will continue at a steady pace from here on," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on a daily conference call.

The deal with the US involved Russia lifting a self-imposed ban on diesel exports.