The United Kingdom has moved to ease parts of its sanctions regime on Russian energy imports, allowing limited shipments of jet fuel and diesel at a time of rising global energy prices driven by conflict in the Middle East.
According to the UK government, a trade licence has been issued permitting imports of Russian crude oil that has been refined in third countries, including India. The licence is described as being of “indefinite duration,” though it will be subject to periodic review by the Department of Business and Trade.
In addition, the government has introduced a temporary licence that relaxes restrictions on liquefied natural gas originating from certain Russian facilities.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the decision, insisting that the changes do not amount to a rollback of sanctions. He said the government is introducing “two targeted short-term licences to phase the new sanctions in and to protect UK consumers.” Starmer also stressed that Britain remains committed to coordinating with allies on future sanctions packages against Russia.
The UK imposed a wide-ranging sanctions regime on Russia following the start of the war in Ukraine, targeting energy exports as well as more than 3,000 individuals and companies.
