STORY
The UK Government has relaxed sanctions rules to allow diesel and jet fuel made from Russian-origin crude oil to enter the country if it has been refined in other countries. Sky News reported that officials had issued a licence taking effect on Wednesday, with the arrangement subject to periodic review by the Business Secretary.
The change follows concerns about jet fuel supplies during the summer as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts global oil flows. The UK had previously banned oil products refined in third countries from Russian-origin crude as part of efforts to put financial pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
Other refined oil products made from Russian-origin crude, including petrochemicals and heating oil, remain banned. The decision is likely to attract political scrutiny because it comes after ministers had previously argued that stopping Russian oil from reaching UK markets was an important part of the sanctions regime.