Possible Russian diesel shipment to Wilmington raises concerns among Ukrainian Americans

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A possible shipment of Russian diesel fuel to the Port of Wilmington is raising concerns among members of the Ukrainian American community in southeastern North Carolina as the war in Ukraine continues and President Donald Trump announces an agreement with Russia involving diesel supplies.

The Greek-flagged tanker Minerva Zen reportedly departed St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sept. 22, according to vessel-tracking website Marine Traffic. The departure came more than two weeks before Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase diesel supplies.

The Trump administration says the agreement could help address high fuel prices. However, the reported shipment has drawn scrutiny amid concerns that revenue from Russian energy exports could help fund Moscow’s war effort.

The shipment also comes as Trump has publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does,” Trump said. “And let me go a step further. If I were president, you wouldn’t have ever had that war.”

Zelenskyy has criticized the diesel agreement, warning that Russian energy revenue could help finance the war against Ukraine.

For Ukrainian Americans in Wilmington, the issue extends beyond fuel prices and the arrival of a tanker.

Barbara Bakowycz, a member of the nonprofit Ukrainians in Wilmington, said the prospect of increased Russian energy revenue has left members of the community angry and concerned.

“We feel definitely very upset and angry,” Bakowycz said. “Again, a lot of this is not unexpected because the warning signs have been there all along.”

Bakowycz said many Ukrainian Americans have friends and relatives living through the war and remain concerned about the country’s future.

“They’re tired, but they’re not about to capitulate,” she said. “So, we’ve given up too much. We’re losing too much. We want to retain what we have. We want to get back what was taken from us.”

A planned vigil and protest will be held tonight at 7:15 pm in Southport, to protest the arrival of the ship