Britain eases Russia fuel sanctions

Britain’s government put into force a new ban on imports of oil products refined in third countries from Russian crude on May 20, according to guidance and legislation published by the government. The move came after criticism in Britain and Ukraine over delays in closing a sanctions loophole that had allowed fuels such as diesel, jet fuel and gasoline to enter if they were processed outside Russia. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, signed two decrees on May 24 imposing sanctions on Russians linked to missile strikes on Ukraine, including the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital attack, and on figures tied to Russia’s naval logistics, Ukrinform reported, citing the presidential office. Taken together, the two developments show the split between how sanctions are written and how they are enforced. (gov.uk) Britain has moved to tighten one part of its trade restrictions, while Kyiv is still adding names and sectors to its own sanctions lists as the war continues. That contrast is an inference from the timing of the two announcements and from the substance of the measures published by London and Kyiv. (ukrinform.net) ### What exactly did Britain change on fuel imports? The British government said the prohibition on importing oil products processed in a third country using Russian-origin crude oil was introduced on May 19 and took effect on May 20. The measure was added to the Russia sanctions regulations as Regulation 46Z9F in a 2026 amendment. (gov.uk) The new rules cover “relevant processed oil products,” and the legislation also bars related financial services and funds connected to those imports. The explanatory memorandum says the measure bans refined oil and oil products made from Russian-origin crude in third countries, expanding earlier restrictions that focused on Russian-origin shipments more directly. (gov.uk) ### Why had this become a loophole? Russia sanctions rules already restricted oil and oil-product movements in several forms, but third-country refining had remained a known pressure point. Government guidance issued this week was specifically framed as guidance on “third country processed oil product measures,” underscoring that London was addressing fuel made outside Russia from Russian crude. (legislation.gov.uk) The criticism around that gap came from political reporting that said Britain had delayed action and faced complaints from Ukrainian officials and lawmakers. Those accounts are not set out in the legislation itself, but they match the timing of the government’s publication of the new rules this week. (gov.uk) ### What did Zelensky sanction on May 24? Ukrinform reported on May 24 that Zelensky signed two decrees enacting sanctions against Russians responsible for missile strikes on Ukraine, specifically including the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, and against people involved in Russia’s naval logistics. The report said the announcement came from the Office of the President. (gov.uk) A separate Ukrinform report said Ukraine was preparing additional sanctions decisions beyond those approved on Saturday, again mentioning the Okhmatdyt hospital case. That indicates Kyiv is treating the new decrees as part of a broader sanctions push rather than a one-day action. ### How do the British and Ukrainian moves fit together? (ukrinform.net) Britain’s measure is a trade-control step aimed at a route by which Russian crude could still reach the British market after processing abroad. Ukraine’s measure is a designation step aimed at named Russian individuals and networks tied to attacks and military support. (ukrinform.net) The two actions operate on different parts of the sanctions system. London’s published rules focus on import bans and related services, while Kyiv’s decrees focus on accountability for specific attacks and support structures, according to the government and Ukrinform texts. ### What comes next? GOV.UK has published the operative British guidance and the 2026 amending regulations, which businesses importing fuel products will have to follow from the May 20 start date. (gov.uk) Ukrinform said Ukraine is preparing further sanctions decisions after the May 24 decrees, with the Office of the President expected to announce the next names and sectors. (legislation.gov.uk)