UK set a deadline

London — The UK has set a deadline to fully ban diesel and jet fuel made from Russian sources after trade licences issued last month prompted criticism.

The licences allowing for the import of Russian jet fuel and diesel refined in third countries came along with a new package of sanctions last month amid surging costs due to the Middle East conflict.

The move prompted criticism, with the EU warning it is “not the time to roll back sanctions” against Moscow.

Ministers denied at the time that the carve-out represented a watering down of sanctions aimed at hurting Moscow’s economy.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was a matter of two “short-term licences” that were issued to “phase in” the new sanctions.

UK set a deadline

Those licences will expire by January 1, 2027 at the latest, the Government has now confirmed.

They will continue to be reviewed every two weeks.

Trade Minister Chris Bryant said he made a commitment “to review the temporary general licence for diesel and jet fuel on a fortnightly basis, and lift it as soon as practicable.

“Today we’re confirming that the government will include an end date of 1st January 2027 in the licence at the latest and that we will continue to keep the licence under continuous review.

“The end date is a clear signal that we continue to ratchet up maximum pressure on Russia.”