UK to Phase Out Russian-Linked Fuel Imports by 2027

The British government has pledged to ban imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil by January 1, 2027, as part of sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine, according to the BBC. Trade Secretary Chris Bryant said the deadline sends “a clear message that we are continuing to increase the maximum pressure on Russia.”

In May, London said it would move gradually to end the use of diesel and jet fuel refined in third countries from Russian crude, citing the need for some flexibility because of global oil supply problems. The government later said the temporary import license would be reviewed every two weeks, and officials believe that process could lead to its cancellation before 2027. Bryant said he had promised the House of Commons that the general temporary license would be reviewed every two weeks and revoked as soon as possible.

The government said the license would now include a hard end date of no later than January 1, 2027, while remaining under constant review. Stephen Doughty, a minister in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said the new steps would stop refined Russian oil products from entering Britain through third countries and help maintain stability at home while increasing pressure on Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

The move came amid criticism from some quarters. The European Union warned that “this is not the time to reduce sanctions” on Moscow. Bill Browder, a long-time critic of Putin, told the BBC the policy was “absurd” and argued that Britain was effectively funding Russia’s war effort with billions of pounds while also aiding Ukraine. The article also notes that global oil prices have risen after the conflict between the United States and Israel and Iran disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, cutting supply; Brent crude was about $70 a barrel before the crisis and is now around $87, even as a deal to end the conflict appears close.