The United Kingdom has officially allowed the import of diesel and aviation fuel made from Russian oil, provided it has been processed in third countries. This decision was made as part of a special exemption from the sanctions policy regarding Russia.
This is reported by Finway
New Fuel Import Rules
The decision by the British authorities was a response to the sharp rise in energy prices, which is putting pressure on both the aviation sector and households. The reasons for the price increase include the escalation of the situation in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a key route for oil transportation. The relevant license, issued on May 19, stipulates that fuel made from Russian oil can be imported into the UK if it has been processed outside of Russia. Additional accounting requirements have been established for companies to ensure transparency in the process. The new rules take effect immediately and will remain in force indefinitely with periodic reviews; they may be amended or revoked depending on circumstances.
Impact on the Economy and Markets
Experts note that the current rise in fuel prices has already affected the economy of the United Kingdom, particularly the standard of living of the population. The government is trying to minimize the negative impact by combating inflation and ensuring the availability of energy resources. At the same time, the labor market situation remains tense: the number of job vacancies is decreasing due to the impact of the war in Iran on global economic stability.
Among the largest Russian projects for oil and gas export are “Sakhalin-2” in the Far East and “Yamal LNG” in the Arctic. These enterprises have a significant impact on the energy market.
Critics of this move lament that such actions continue to allow the Kremlin to earn oil dollars, which are used to finance the war in Ukraine.
On May 18, a similar decision regarding the lifting of some sanctions was made by the United States, allowing maritime shipments of Russian oil to support countries suffering from a shortage of energy resources due to the Iranian conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, such actions have already raised concerns among Ukrainian officials, who have repeatedly warned that easing sanctions will only increase Moscow’s revenues from oil exports.
From April 5 to May 3, 2026, Russia’s profits from oil exports reached record levels again since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, Ukraine’s arguments regarding the negative consequences for European security were not taken into account by the administration of President Donald Trump.