Britain has temporarily eased its ban on importing Russian oil.

VTV.vn - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the country will allow short-term imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude oil through third countries such as India.

London insists this is only a temporary measure to protect consumers from potential supply disruptions following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The British government stressed that this move does not mean the lifting of sanctions against Moscow and that licenses will be reviewed periodically.

The move comes as Brent crude oil prices remain around $110 a barrel, significantly higher than before the Middle East conflict. On the same day, Russia claimed the European Union had lost approximately $1 trillion due to its refusal to buy Russian oil and raw materials, causing a sharp increase in energy costs in Europe.

In October 2025, the UK announced it would ban imports of products derived from Russian crude oil, as part of an effort to cut off funding for Russia's war in Ukraine.

However, conflicts in the Middle East have disrupted energy supplies and driven prices soaring. Recently, on May 18th, the US extended its waiver from the Russian oil embargo for shipments by sea, a move criticized by the European Union (EU).

Britain has imposed strict sanctions on Russia since 2022, targeting oil exports as well as more than 3,000 individuals and companies. British Finance Minister Dan Tomlinson argued that the temporary easing of sanctions was a measure to protect Britain's national interests in the face of the instability caused by the conflict between the US and Iran.

Source: https://vtv.vn/anh-tam-noi-long-lenh-cam-nhap-khau-dau-nga-100260521215607251.htm