UK relaxes Russian oil and gas sanctions to protect supplies, sparking Ukrainian backlash

The UK has relaxed parts of its new sanctions regime on Russian oil and gas after ministers became increasingly worried about the impact of higher fuel prices and supply pressures linked to the crisis in the Middle East. According to the BBC, the change affects some refined oil products and maritime services connected to Russian liquefied natural gas, with the government saying the move is temporary and designed to protect UK consumers while tougher restrictions are phased in.

The decision has immediately drawn criticism from Ukraine and from opposition politicians in Britain. A Ukrainian MP told The Independent that the move raises a “question mark” over Britain’s friendship with Kyiv, arguing that it sends Moscow the message that “everything can be bought and everything is for sale.” The concern is that, even if the licences are limited, they could still help keep Russian energy moving through international markets and provide indirect benefit to the Kremlin.

At the centre of the controversy is the government’s attempt to balance sanctions pressure on Russia with domestic energy security. The BBC reported that ministers are responding to supply concerns for diesel, jet fuel and LNG after tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz raised fears of disruption to global energy flows. The UK says its broader sanctions position has not changed, and that the new measures are intended to tighten pressure on Russia overall while allowing a short transition period for certain imports and services.

But critics say the symbolism matters as much as the legal detail. Sam Kiley, writing in The Independent, argued that any easing of restrictions on Russian oil is a “gut punch” to Ukraine at a time when the country is still fighting for survival against Russia’s invasion. He said the move risks weakening Britain’s reputation and undercutting the message that Western governments have tried to send since the war began: that Russia should not be allowed to profit from its aggression.

The row also highlights a broader problem facing governments across Europe: sanctions are strongest when they are unified, but energy markets remain vulnerable to shocks. If fuel prices keep rising, more governments may face pressure to soften or delay restrictions that are meant to isolate Russia economically. For Ukraine, that creates a painful tension between battlefield support and the practical realities of global energy supply. For Britain, it leaves ministers trying to explain how a policy meant to increase pressure on Moscow can, at least in the short term, still allow some Russian-linked energy to reach the UK market.