UK Sets Jan. 1, 2027 Deadline To Fully Ban Russian Diesel And Jet Fuel Imports

The U.K. announced on June 12 that imports of diesel and jet fuel produced from Russian crude oil will be fully banned by Jan. 1, 2027, as part of efforts to cut off revenue streams funding Moscow's war against Ukraine.

“- Published The UK government has committed to banning imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil by 1 January 2027”

BBC

The measure builds on sanctions introduced on May 20 that prohibit imports of refined oil made from Russian crude in third countries, and it relies on a temporary license that the British government confirmed will expire no later than Jan. 1, 2027.

BBC

To ease the transition for industry, the British government said it would continue reviewing the license every two weeks and could lift it sooner, while setting an end date of 1 January 2027 for the refined oil licence to help industry plan.

U.K. Trade Minister Chris Bryant said, "We're ratcheting up our sanctions regime to squeeze Russia's ability to fund the illegal war against Ukraine in a phased and responsible way," framing the timeline as pressure on Russia's ability to finance the war.

The British government said the refined oil restrictions are part of a wider sanctions package that also targets Russia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector and other avenues used to circumvent Western sanctions.

The BBC reported that the U.K. government committed to banning imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil by 1 January 2027, and said the temporary licence would be reviewed every two weeks.

The BBC also quoted Chris Bryant saying, "The end date is a clear signal that we continue to ratchet up maximum pressure on Russia," and described the review process as potentially allowing the licence to be revoked sooner than 1 January.

Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air

The BBC further reported that the EU warned it is "not the time to roll back sanctions" against Moscow, as the U.K. phased out diesel and jet fuel refined in third countries from Russian crude.

Speaking to the BBC, Sir Bill Browder called the decision "absurd" and said, "On one hand we are giving Ukraine billions to fight off Russia."

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister Stephen Doughty told the BBC that "These new measures that strengthen our sanctions will stop refined oil made from Russian crude from entering the UK through third countries."

The U.K. government said it has now sanctioned over 3,300 individuals, businesses, and vessels under its Russia regime, and that international sanctions have deprived Russia’s economy of over $450 billion.

“Britain Sets 2027 Deadline for Russian Diesel and Jet Fuel Ban The UK has announced a timeline to implement a full ban on diesel and jet fuel originating from Russia by 2027”

Devdiscourse

GOV.UK linked the refined oil measure to a wider package announced on 20 May, saying it includes new restrictions on liquefied natural gas (LNG) maritime services designed to cut off key revenue streams that fund Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent reported that the U.K. announcement came as London continues to expand its support for Ukraine, including a March pledge of an additional 100 million pounds for Ukraine's air defenses after Russia intensified its aerial attacks.

In a separate analysis, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said Russia’s fossil fuel export revenues have fallen since sanctions were implemented, but argued that "much more should be done to limit Russia’s export earnings and constrain the funding of the Kremlin’s war chest."

CREA also described how the oil price cap has failed to impose a durable constraint on Russian crude export earnings and said Urals prices dipped below the USD 60 per barrel cap level only briefly, while ESPO crude traded well above the cap.