The UK government has apologized for its decision to ease sanctions against Russia, which was intended to prevent shortages of diesel and jet fuel, UNN reports, citing Bloomberg.
Details
UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant told Parliament that the move, which followed a similar step by the Trump administration, was handled "clumsily" and that the license would be suspended as soon as possible. The government published a notice on its website late Tuesday instead of explaining the reasons behind the decision. After Bloomberg reported on the matter, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was forced to respond to a flurry of criticism regarding the move.
"We handled this clumsily, and it is entirely my fault, and I apologize: we created the wrong impression of what we are trying to do," Bryant said, pointing to the leadership the UK has shown so far regarding sanctions against Russia.
The publication notes that the easing of sanctions sparked a backlash in both the UK and Ukraine over a decision seen as prioritizing the government's desire to reduce the cost-of-living burden on Britons over the need to pressure Russia's wartime economy. It also marks a rift between the UK and the European Union, which often coordinate their sanctions, as the EU currently has no plans for similar measures.
UK officials told Bloomberg that the move weakens the government's arguments to its G7 allies for maintaining and strengthening sanctions against Russia. The government had previously criticized US moves to lift certain sanctions affecting Russia.
"Now he chooses to buy dirty Russian oil; that money will be used to fund the killing of Ukrainian soldiers. Is he not ashamed?" Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asked Starmer in Parliament on Wednesday. The Prime Minister insisted that the government is putting more pressure, not less, on Russia as part of its recent sanctions package.
Addendum
The media outlet adds that fuel prices have soared since the start of the war between the US-Israel and Iran in late February, which disrupted refinery production in the region. Easing restrictions on jet fuel made from Russian crude oil, primarily in India and Turkey, is one possible way to lower prices in the UK.
The license mitigates the impact of sanctions that came into force earlier this year to limit Russia's ability to profit from its oil and gas industry.
As a reminder
Earlier, the UK allowed the import of fuel derived from Russian oil through third countries. The decision is attributed to market shortages and rising global prices.