UK Trade Secretary Chris Bryant announced the preparation of new legislation that will significantly complicate schemes to circumvent anti-Russian sanctions, particularly in the oil sector.
Speaking at a House of Commons hearing, Bryant emphasized that Russia “is trying to avoid and circumvent all our sanctions at every turn,” so the restrictions require constant review and strengthening. The main problem, according to the minister, is the refining of Russian oil in third countries and the subsequent sale of finished products to the British market, which effectively undermines the existing ban on imports of Russian crude.
The new bill is intended to close precisely such loopholes. It will be a logical continuation of the large-scale sanctions package announced by the UK on February 24—the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That package was the largest since 2022 and included nearly 300 new restrictions.
Officials in London emphasize that the goal is to deprive the Kremlin of as much energy revenue as possible and make it more difficult to finance the war.
Details of the new anti-circumvention legislation are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Experts believe the initiative may include increased supply chain oversight, additional certification requirements for the origin of petroleum products, and harsher penalties for facilitating sanctions evasion.