Britain eased sanctions on diesel and jet fuel derived from Russian crude oil processed abroad, effective May 20, amid fuel price pressures from regional conflict.
12:50 PM
The United Kingdom has authorized the import of diesel fuel and jet fuel produced from Russian oil in third countries, according to a trade license issued by the Department for Business and Trade.
The General Trade Licensee for sanctioned processed oil products permits the import into the UK of diesel and jet fuel processed in third countries from Russian crude oil. The exceptions to the sanctions rules came into force on May 20 and are of indefinite duration, though the license will be periodically reviewed.
The authorization allows the UK to import Russian crude oil refined in third countries, including India and Turkey. The move comes amid soaring fuel prices caused by the Iran war and prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global energy supplies.
The UK government also issued a temporary license to loosen additional restrictions related to Russian oil imports, according to officials. The indefinite-duration trade license represents a significant shift in Britain's approach to Russian energy products following earlier sanctions imposed in response to geopolitical tensions.
The decision has drawn criticism from observers who view the UK and US plans to resume imports of Russian energy as Moscow gaining economic benefit from regional conflicts. The authorization applies specifically to refined products rather than direct imports of Russian crude oil, allowing the UK to source fuel through intermediary processing in third countries.
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