Key Takeaways
- On May 19 the United Kingdom quietly granted two licenses that allow imports of diesel and jet fuel derived from sanctioned Russian oil (provided the fuel is processed in a third country) and the maritime transport of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Sakhalin‑2 and Yamal terminals.
- The diesel/jet‑fuel license took effect May 20 and is indefinite, while the LNG transport license runs until January 1 2027; both can be revoked or suspended at any time.
- The U.K. says the measures aim to protect critical supply chains and maintain market stability while still “strengthening sanctions on Russia.”
- Critics, including former U.K. defense attaché John Foreman, label the move cynical, arguing it undermines Britain’s self‑styled role as a moral leader of the “coalition of the willing” supporting Ukraine.
- The licenses coincide with a G7 statement reaffirming pressure on Russia’s energy sector and with a parallel U.S. sanctions waiver that has allowed the purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea, estimated to have netted Moscow roughly $150 million per day.
- Ukraine has responded by intensifying its own long‑range sanctions campaign, striking a major Lukoil refinery and an oil pumping station on May 18‑19.
U.K. Issues New Licenses for Russian Diesel and Jet Fuel
On May 19 the United Kingdom’s government portal announced a new license permitting the import of diesel and jet fuel that originates from Russian oil, on the condition that “the products have been processed in a third country.” This exemption carves out a narrow pathway around the U.K.’s broader ban on Russian oil products that have been refined elsewhere. The license became effective on May 20 and is granted for an indefinite period, though the government retains the authority to revoke or suspend it at any moment should circumstances change.
Separate License for Maritime Transport of Russian LNG
In tandem with the fuel import licence, the U.K. issued a general licence covering the maritime transport of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). The authorisation allows ships to load and deliver LNG originating from Russia’s Sakhalin‑2 or Yamal LNG terminals. Unlike the diesel/jet‑fuel licence, this one carries a defined expiry date of January 1 2027, after which it would need renewal or would lapse unless extended. As with the other licence, it remains subject to immediate revocation or suspension.
Government Justification: Balancing Sanctions and Supply Stability
A spokesperson for the U.K. government told the BBC that the licences are part of a strategy “to strengthen our sanctions on Russia to degrade its ability to wage war in Ukraine, whilst protecting critical supply chains and maintaining market stability.” Officials argue that allowing limited, processed flows of Russian energy helps avoid sudden spikes in fuel prices that could harm consumers and industries, while still exerting pressure on the Kremlin’s war finances.
Expert Reaction: Cynicism Accusations
John Foreman CBE, an associate fellow at Chatham House and former U.K. defence attaché to both Kyiv and Moscow, described the move as “cynical but understandable.” He warned that such accommodations erode Britain’s moral standing, noting that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has positioned himself as a leader of the “coalition of the willing” that seeks long‑term security guarantees for Kyiv. Foreman remarked that engaging in “dirty deals” undercuts the high moral tone Starmer has cultivated.
Context: The Coalition of the Willing and G7 Unity
The U.K. has been a leading partner of Ukraine since Russia’s full‑scale invasion in 2022. Alongside France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer has portrayed himself as a standard‑bearer for the coalition of the willing—a grouping formed in 2025 to secure enduring security assurances for Kyiv. The new licences appear on the same day the Group of Seven (G7) released a statement reaffirming its “unwavering commitment” to pressure Russia, including sanctions on the energy sector and actions against third‑country entities that materially support Moscow’s war effort.
Global Energy Crisis and the Strait of Hormuz Factor
The licences reflect a tightening global energy environment. Recent closures and threats to the Strait of Hormuz have placed key supply lines in a chokehold, driving up jet fuel prices and contributing to higher airfare costs and broader aviation disruptions. By permitting limited flows of Russian‑derived diesel and jet fuel, the U.K. seeks to mitigate these price pressures while navigating the broader sanctions regime.
Parallel U.S. Sanctions Waiver
The United States, also a G7 member, had previously issued its own sanctions waiver allowing the purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea. Washington has renewed that waiver twice, despite earlier pledges not to do so. Senate Democrats estimated that the initial waiver, combined with elevated oil prices during the Iran‑related conflict, provided Russia with roughly $150 million per day—amounting to more than $4 billion before the first exemption lapsed. The U.K.’s similar move suggests a trans‑Atlantic convergence on pragmatic, short‑term energy accommodations.
Financial Impact Estimates
Analysts consulted by the Kyiv Independent noted that the U.K. licences could enable a notable flow of revenue to Russian energy firms, though the exact volume remains uncertain due to the third‑country processing requirement. Nonetheless, the precedent set by the U.S. waiver suggests that even limited, conditional allowances can translate into hundreds of millions of dollars in monthly earnings for Moscow, bolstering its capacity to fund the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Counter‑Attacks on Russian Energy Infrastructure
While Western governments grant limited licences, Ukraine has intensified its own campaign to degrade Russian energy assets. On May 18‑19 Ukrainian forces struck a Lukoil refinery—one of the largest in Russia—and an oil pumping station in a coordinated long‑range sanctions operation. These attacks aim to directly reduce Moscow’s refining capacity and disrupt the flow of petroleum products that fund the war effort, illustrating Kyiv’s strategy of coupling diplomatic pressure with tangible military action.
Conclusion: A Developing Story with Broad Implications
The U.K.’s quiet issuance of diesel, jet‑fuel, and LNG licences underscores the complex calculus facing Western nations as they attempt to uphold sanctions while avoiding severe domestic energy shocks. The measures have drawn both governmental defence—citing market stability—and sharp criticism for potentially undermining the moral authority of the coalition supporting Ukraine. As the situation evolves, parallel actions by the United States, ongoing G7 statements, and Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure will continue to shape the trajectory of the energy‑related dimension of the Russia‑Ukraine conflict. The story remains developing, and further updates are expected as licences are reviewed, renewed, or revoked.