UK eases jet fuel imports

Britain published a new sanctions licence on May 19 allowing imports of diesel and jet fuel refined outside Russia from Russian-origin crude, reopening a route the government had been preparing to close. The licence took effect on May 20 under amendments to the UK’s Russia sanctions regime. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said the move was not flagged at this week’s G7 finance ministers’ meeting in Paris and “came as a surprise.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trade Minister Chris Bryant have said the carve-out is designed to protect British consumers and businesses during energy-market disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. ### What exactly did Britain change? The UK government on May 19 issued a General Trade Licence for “sanctioned processed oil products” that permits activity otherwise barred under the Russia sanctions rules. Government guidance says the underlying prohibition on importing oil products processed in a third country from Russian crude was introduced on May 19 and came into force on May 20. (gov.uk) The products covered are diesel and jet fuel refined outside Russia, including in countries such as India and Turkey, according to Politico and other reports summarizing the licence. A sanctions-law briefing by Baker McKenzie said the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation issued the processed-oil licence alongside broader amendments to the Russia regime, and that both took effect on May 20. (gov.uk) ### Why did this become controversial inside the G7? Valdis Dombrovskis said on May 21 that Britain had not raised the exemption during the G7 finance ministers’ meeting in Paris earlier in the week, where UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves attended. Dombrovskis said the discussion among G7 partners had pointed the other way: “now is not the time to roll back sanctions against Russia” because Russia was benefiting from higher energy prices linked to the war in Iran. (politico.eu) Politico reported that the European Union implemented a similar ban in January. The same report said the UK exemption covers fuels that account for 99% of British imports from refineries processing Russian crude, citing the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. ### What has the British government said in its defense? (politico.eu) Keir Starmer told lawmakers on May 20 that Britain had issued “two targeted short-term licences to phase the new sanctions in and protect U.K. consumers,” according to Politico. Chris Bryant said the move was partly prompted by a need to protect businesses from energy-market “instability” caused by the Middle East conflict. (politico.eu) Bryant also said the exemptions were “temporary” and that the government would suspend them “as soon as we possibly can,” while apologizing for how the measure was handled. A Downing Street spokesperson later said Britain had worked “closely with international partners including the EU” on the broader sanctions package, though Politico reported the spokesperson did not say the specific exemptions had been discussed. (politico.eu) ### How does the Hormuz disruption fit into this? UK government transport statements issued in late April and early May said ministers were monitoring jet-fuel supplies after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz but that airlines were not seeing an immediate shortage. Those notices said the government was working with airports, carriers and fuel suppliers to avoid summer disruption. (politico.eu) India Today reported that the new licence allowed Russian crude refined in India and Turkey back into the British market after the Hormuz shock disrupted fuel supplies. Politico separately reported that the apparent reversal came amid concerns over jet-fuel and diesel supplies sparked by the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. (gov.uk) ### What happens next? France’s presidency says the 2026 G7 summit will be held in Evian from June 15 to 17. Before then, Britain’s handling of the licence is likely to remain under scrutiny from EU officials and other G7 partners as ministers continue coordinating sanctions policy toward Russia. (elysee.fr) (indiatoday.in)