Fuel-thirsty UK relaxes Russian oil sanctions, leaving Ukrainians ‘very let down’

The UK moved to loosen its Russian sanctions in a controversial move aimed at preventing shortages of diesel and jet fuel, as the war in Iran eats into global oil buffers.The move highlights how Britain has become more reliant on fuel imports than other major European nations, and has prompted political backlash over the government’s commitment to support Ukraine.The European Union is not currently planning a similar measure, according to people with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be named discussing non-public information.Britain issued ‌two licences on Tuesday to allow imports ‌of diesel and jet fuel ⁠refined ⁠abroad from Russian crude ‌to shore up supply. They take effect on Wednesday with “indefinite duration and shall be periodically reviewed”.Petrol and diesel prices are displayed at a motorway services station near Leigh Delamere in Britain on April 16. Photo: ReutersThe measure, which applies only to diesel and jet fuel, comes as swathes of global oil production remain disrupted by the Iran-war" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="38748" data-entity-type="event">Iran war, with those products particularly hard hit.