The UK issues a general trade licence that relaxes parts of its sanctions regime for Russian crude oil by allowing specific fuel imports into the country. The licence permits imports of diesel and jet fuel that have been refined abroad from Russian crude in third countries, such as India and Türkiye. Multiple outlets report that the change is designed to ease fuel supply pressures and reduce cost impacts for households and airlines as energy prices rise.
According to reporting, the licence takes effect around Wednesday and, in at least one account, allows the authorisations indefinitely while the government commits to periodic review. Some sources also describe the measure as a “sanctions carve-out,” rather than a broad reopening of Russian oil imports, and note that it includes conditions such as record-keeping requirements. The policy draws criticism from UK politicians and experts, including members of both major parties, with some describing the move as illogical or insufficiently focused on sanctions objectives.
The decision also comes amid wider concerns about global fuel supply disruptions, with some coverage linking the timing to tensions affecting shipping routes.
