Amid War-Driven Oil Price Hikes, UK Eases Sanctions on Russian Jet Fuel and Diesel
On the 20th, amid soaring oil prices caused by a war in the Middle East, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the controversial move to ease sanctions on imports of Russian jet fuel and diesel. The measure, which permits the import of Russian crude refined in third countries like India, has drawn fierce criticism from the opposition Conservative Party, who argue it funds Russia's war in Ukraine. Starmer assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the UK remains committed to weakening the Russian economy. Ukraine has indicated it will seek further discussions with the UK on this sensitive issue.
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- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 11:15
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer today defended a controversial move to ease sanctions on imports of Russian jet fuel and diesel, as a war in the Middle East drives up oil prices.
Agence France-Presse reports that the trade license, which allows the UK to import Russian crude oil refined in third countries such as India, has been strongly criticized by opposition parties.
A Downing Street spokesperson stated that Starmer assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call this evening that "less Russian oil will be on the market and Russia is weakened as a result of the action the UK has taken to date."
According to the UK's Department for Business and Trade website, the license is "indefinite" and will be "reviewed periodically."
The Labour Party government also issued a temporary license to relax sanctions on liquefied natural gas originating from certain Russian plants.
Last October, the UK announced it would ban the import of products derived from Russian crude oil, aiming to cut off a source of revenue funding the Russia-Ukraine war.
However, Starmer stated the government issued "two targeted, time-limited licenses to enable the phasing in of new sanctions and to protect British consumers." He said, "This is in no way a climbdown on any existing sanctions, and we will continue to work with our allies to bring in more sanctions packages."
Starmer told Zelenskyy that the UK is "strengthening the measures that are hammering Russia’s economy, including through a new sanctions package."
Downing Street noted that the Prime Minister said this was part of a "continued commitment to do everything possible to weaken and dismantle [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s war machine."
However, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of "choosing to buy dirty Russian oil. That money will be used to fund the killing of Ukrainian soldiers."
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK imposed a harsh sanctions regime on Moscow, targeting oil exports and more than 3,000 individuals and companies.
This UK decision was preceded by the United States also extending a sanctions waiver for Russian oil shipments already at sea for a second time on the 18th, as the war against Iran squeezed global oil supplies and caused energy prices to climb.
Reuters reports that Zelenskyy said today that Ukraine has contacted the UK and sent a signal on the "sensitive" issue of sanctions against Russia, and hopes for further discussions this week.
In his evening video address, he said, "This issue has always been very sensitive... We have conveyed our message on this matter to London. We expect to discuss everything at the bilateral level this week."
Agence France-Presse reports that the trade license, which allows the UK to import Russian crude oil refined in third countries such as India, has been strongly criticized by opposition parties.
A Downing Street spokesperson stated that Starmer assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call this evening that "less Russian oil will be on the market and Russia is weakened as a result of the action the UK has taken to date."
According to the UK's Department for Business and Trade website, the license is "indefinite" and will be "reviewed periodically."
The Labour Party government also issued a temporary license to relax sanctions on liquefied natural gas originating from certain Russian plants.
Last October, the UK announced it would ban the import of products derived from Russian crude oil, aiming to cut off a source of revenue funding the Russia-Ukraine war.
However, Starmer stated the government issued "two targeted, time-limited licenses to enable the phasing in of new sanctions and to protect British consumers." He said, "This is in no way a climbdown on any existing sanctions, and we will continue to work with our allies to bring in more sanctions packages."
Starmer told Zelenskyy that the UK is "strengthening the measures that are hammering Russia’s economy, including through a new sanctions package."
Downing Street noted that the Prime Minister said this was part of a "continued commitment to do everything possible to weaken and dismantle [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s war machine."
However, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of "choosing to buy dirty Russian oil. That money will be used to fund the killing of Ukrainian soldiers."
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK imposed a harsh sanctions regime on Moscow, targeting oil exports and more than 3,000 individuals and companies.
This UK decision was preceded by the United States also extending a sanctions waiver for Russian oil shipments already at sea for a second time on the 18th, as the war against Iran squeezed global oil supplies and caused energy prices to climb.
Reuters reports that Zelenskyy said today that Ukraine has contacted the UK and sent a signal on the "sensitive" issue of sanctions against Russia, and hopes for further discussions this week.
In his evening video address, he said, "This issue has always been very sensitive... We have conveyed our message on this matter to London. We expect to discuss everything at the bilateral level this week."