The UK government has softened its plans to impose a full ban on imports of diesel and jet fuel derived from Russian oil refined in third countries, amid growing concerns over global supply pressures and rising energy prices.
Instead of an outright prohibition, the government will now phase in the new sanctions over the coming months, citing disruptions linked to the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the escalation of the US–Israel conflict with Iran.
Officials at the Foreign Office rejected suggestions that the adjustment amounts to a “waiver” on sanctions targeting Russia’s economy, but acknowledged that greater flexibility is needed to protect fuel supplies and stabilise markets.
Ukraine’s sanctions commissioner, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, said he understood the UK’s reasoning but disagreed with the approach, warning that temporary exemptions could still generate additional revenue for Russia’s war efforts.
“Our concern relates specifically to temporary exemptions that may still generate additional revenues for Russia’s war machine,” he wrote on social media.
The original proposal, announced in October last year, aimed to block oil products refined from Russian crude in third countries—such as diesel and jet fuel—from entering the UK. It followed earlier revelations that loopholes in global trade rules had allowed continued imports despite sanctions.
Investigations by the BBC in 2024 revealed that millions of barrels of fuel refined from Russian oil were still entering the UK through countries including India and Turkey. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) estimated that such imports were worth about £1.8 billion since the initial ban in 2022.
While some new sanctions were introduced this week, the full restriction on refined oil products has been delayed. The revised approach will still allow imports of jet fuel from countries such as India, a major supplier to the UK and Europe, while much of Russia’s crude continues to be refined in Turkey.
Government sources say the ban will now be gradually introduced, with regular reviews designed to ensure a “stable transition” that avoids further disruption to already strained fuel markets.
The Foreign Office said “targeted” short-term licences have been issued under the refined oil import rules to maintain flexibility in UK supply chains and global energy markets. It insisted this does not amount to a sanctions waiver, unlike a similar move recently adopted by the United States, which drew strong criticism.
The broader energy disruption has been intensified by conflict in the Middle East, which has affected the movement of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and other critical supplies. More than half of Europe’s jet fuel flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and prices have surged sharply as a result.
European jet fuel prices, which stood at around $831 per tonne in February before the escalation, rose to $1,838 by early April before easing to about $1,375 in recent weeks.
The UK is also introducing a ban on the maritime transport of Russian LNG and related services, although a time-limited licence will allow continued operations until 1 January.
Britain has been a leading advocate of economic pressure on Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine, and earlier this week it backed a G7 statement reaffirming a commitment to impose “severe costs” on Russia.
However, the revised approach has drawn criticism from energy analysts. Dubai-based consultant Qamar Energy chief executive Robin Mills said the changes send a “negative signal”, arguing that the measures are unlikely to ease fuel prices while potentially weakening sanctions pressure.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of “backsliding” on Ukraine and claimed it was “choosing to buy dirty Russian oil.” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the policy, insisting no existing sanctions had been removed and that the changes simply phase in stricter measures while maintaining pressure on Russia.
Within Labour ranks, however, Foreign Affairs Committee chair Emily Thornberry also expressed concern, saying Ukraine’s allies would struggle to understand the decision given the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, airline executives have given mixed assessments of the crisis. Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary said the risk of fuel shortages remained “almost zero”, though some carriers have already adjusted flight schedules due to rising costs.
Several international leaders have also weighed in, with French President Emmanuel Macron arguing that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz do not justify easing pressure on Russia, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned that “every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for the war.”
A UK government spokesperson defended the policy shift, saying it reflects a “new wave of tighter restrictions” designed to further reduce Russian revenues while safeguarding global energy stability.
Clarification (20 May): An earlier version of this report stated that the UK had already loosened sanctions on Russian oil refined into diesel and jet fuel in third countries, and that these sanctions had been in place since October.
This has been corrected to clarify that the measures were announced in October, not fully implemented. While some sanctions were introduced on Wednesday, the planned ban on oil products made from Russian crude oil imported through third countries has been delayed.