The UK government has issued a licence permitting the import of diesel and aviation fuel produced from Russian oil that has undergone processing in third countries. This was announced by the British government’s press service.
The licence takes effect today, 20 May 2026. British companies will now be able to import such petroleum products, provided that the source crude oil was of Russian origin and the final processing took place outside Russia.
The decision comes against the backdrop of continuing sanctions on Russia’s energy sector. The United Kingdom, along with other EU and G7 nations, has banned the direct import of Russian oil and petroleum products; however, products that have been substantially processed in third countries — so-called “laundered” oil — are in some cases subject to exemptions or require separate licences.
The new measure is expected to help stabilise fuel supplies to the UK domestic market and ease pressure on prices, particularly in the aviation sector, which is heavily dependent on imported kerosene.
The government stressed that the licence is targeted in nature and does not signal any relaxation of its broader sanctions policy towards Russia. All importers are required to provide full documentation of their supply chain and the country of final processing.
Details of the licence conditions and the list of approved processing countries have not yet been officially disclosed.