The UK government has committed to banning imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil by 1 January 2027, the latest move in its sanctions package against Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
The ban, announced by Trade Minister Chris Bryant, comes after the government faced criticism for a temporary licence that allowed the continued import of these products. In May, the government said it would gradually phase out diesel and jet fuel refined in third countries from Russian crude oil, citing global oil supply issues. That move prompted the EU to warn it is "not the time to roll back sanctions" against Moscow.
“UK commits to banning Russian diesel and jet fuel imports by January 2027, part of sanctions over Ukraine war.”
Bryant said the end date sends a clear signal. "The end date is a clear signal that we continue to ratchet up maximum pressure on Russia," he said. The temporary licence will be reviewed every two weeks, meaning it could be revoked sooner than 1 January. "I made a commitment to the House of Commons that we would review the temporary general licence for diesel and jet fuel on a fortnightly basis and lift it as soon as practicable," Bryant added. "Today we're confirming that the government will include an end date of 1st January 2027 in the licence at the latest and that we will continue to keep the licence under continuous review."
Global oil prices have been pushed up by the US and Israel conflict with Iran, as the effective halt of trade through the Strait of Hormuz has reduced global oil supplies. Before the conflict, Brent crude was trading around $70 a barrel, but is currently trading around $87 as a deal to end the conflict appears close.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister Stephen Doughty said the measures will stop refined oil made from Russian crude from entering the UK through third countries. "We are maximising pressure on Russia while maintaining stability at home, and we will continue to use every lever available to debilitate Putin's war machine and support Ukraine," he said.
But the decision was branded "absurd" by Sir Bill Browder, a longstanding critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to the BBC, Browder said: "It's absurd. On one hand we are giving Ukraine billions to fight off Russia. On the other we're giving Russia billions for their diesel and jet fuel to buy weapons to attack Ukraine. For anyone to not see the connection and absurdity, they must be willingly blind."
The temporary licence remains in place until the 2027 deadline, under continuous review. The government insists it is maximising pressure on Russia, but critics argue the continued imports undermine that goal.