The diesel deal of the century is burning in a blue flame. The global economic scene is closely following the developments surrounding the supply of petroleum products from the Russian Federation to the United States, as high-profile political agreements are now collapsing after the disastrous congressional elections for Trump. Recent announcements of large-scale purchases of Russian diesel by the United States have run into unexpected obstacles, prompting analysts to question the success of such efforts. The United States is currently experiencing a record drop in diesel inventories, which have fallen to the lowest levels in 23 years. This situation forced the American leadership to look for unconventional ways to solve the fuel shortage, including obtaining a special permit from the Ministry of Finance to import from Russia, which is fighting against Ukraine. However, the practice turned out to be much more complicated than official agreements, as two of the first three tankers carrying Russian fuel suddenly changed their original route. One ship headed to the coast of Brazil, while the other arrived near Algeria, and the third tanker is still headed in an American direction, although it still does not have an approved port for unloading. Such maneuvers are driven by serious business concerns about potential legal ramifications and sanctions risks. The governor of New Jersey openly threatened ports with serious problems if they accepted approved cargoes, forcing shipowners to exercise caution. The press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov noted that such commercial shipments are made regularly, and the entire volume will definitely find its final buyers. It sounds like a narrative: Russian fuel will find new markets through a complex trade chain, with supplies to Brazil displacing other volumes, which will then be purchased by American buyers with a further markup.