Share Source: Ukrinform
The UK government has issued a trade license permitting the import of diesel and aviation fuel made from Russian oil, provided it is refined in other countries. However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that existing oil sanctions against Russia remain in effect.
Key points:
- The UK government is maintaining sanctions on Russian oil, despite issuing a trade license for the import of diesel and aviation fuel derived from Russian crude.
- Prime Minister Starmer emphasized that the new measures are supplementary and do not weaken current restrictions.
Starmer Denies Easing of UK Sanctions on Russian Oil
Starmer asserted that this action does not signify a relaxation of anti-Russian sanctions.
These are new sanctions being implemented gradually. This is in no way a matter of lifting current sanctions, and we will continue to collaborate with our allies on further sanction packages.
Keir Starmer
Prime Minister of the UK
He added that “misunderstanding and misrepresentation of what is happening is a very serious problem.”
What we announced yesterday is a powerful new package of sanctions that goes significantly beyond existing restrictions. It includes new prohibitions on maritime transport of liquefied natural gas and new bans on the import of oil products from Russia. We have also issued two targeted short-term licenses to ensure a gradual introduction of the new sanctions and to protect British consumers. This is standard practice.
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He further stated that the government has previously imposed sanctions “in this manner,” and the previous administration, according to him, used precisely the same technique when implementing sanctions.
Under the license, the sanctions exemption will be periodically reviewed as fuel prices rise due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
However, this decision has drawn criticism within the UK government. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the easing of sanctions as “madness” at a time when the UK government is refusing to fully exploit North Sea resources.
Emily Thornberry, the Chair of the Labour Party’s Foreign Affairs Committee, also criticized the move.
We are talking about our allies in Ukraine, who have been bravely fighting against Russia for years with our support. They considered the UK one of their most important allies and do not understand why we have not yet closed this loophole, despite promising to do so back in October. In fact, the situation seems to have worsened. People feel very disappointed.
The UK government will permit the import of diesel and aviation fuel manufactured abroad from Russian crude oil into the country to counteract rising domestic prices caused by the Middle East conflict.