UK Eases Sanctions On Russian-Origin Diesel And Jet Fuel As Prices Soar

• The UK temporarily allows imports of diesel and jet fuel processed from Russian-origin crude in third countries to address rising fuel prices and jet fuel shortages.

•  The Labour government defends the move as necessary for supply security, while Conservatives criticize it as undermining sanctions and UK energy policy.

• The easing follows similar U.S. waivers on Russian oil sales amid global fuel price spikes, with UK gasoline prices reaching record highs since the Iran war.

The UK government has waived sanctions on imports of diesel and jet fuel processed from Russian-origin crude in third countries, citing spiking fuel prices and concerns over jet fuel supply shortages, according to Oilprice.com.

The easing of a small portion of the UK’s strict sanctions and bans on Russian crude and oil product imports is intended to protect supply security, the Labour government argues.

However, the Conservatives criticized the decision as “insane” and claimed it undermines the sanctions due to domestic political considerations.

This “small, specific, and time-limited” waiver in the UK’s sanctions regime was made to “protect the security of supply for essential foundational goods in our economy, such as jet fuel,” Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson told BBC Breakfast on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the average UK gasoline price jumped to its highest level since the Iran war began, putting additional pressure on consumers already struggling with high gas and energy costs.

Commenting on the government’s decision to allow imports of diesel and jet fuel produced in third countries from Russian crude, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch posted on social media: “After 18 months of ‘standing up to Putin,’ the Labour government quietly issued a licence allowing imports of Russian oil refined in third countries. Yesterday, Labour MPs voted AGAINST UK oil and gas licences. We are now importing from Russia instead of drilling in the North Sea. Insane.”

The UK’s move to ease import restrictions on fuels made from Russian-origin crude in third countries comes just days after the U.S. Treasury extended a waiver of Russia-related sanctions, allowing the sale of Russian oil floating at sea for another 30 days until June 17.

The U.S. first issued a waiver in March, permitting Russian crude on tankers to be sold without penalties as oil and fuel prices spiked following the Iran war.