Trending Now - UK Relaxes Russian Oil Sanctions Amid Rising Fuel Prices

WHO:

AP News - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the government is phasing in a package of sanctions announced in October and issued a “targeted short-term” license for refined products.

The Kyiv Independent - Lawmaker Emily Thornberry, chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed that Ukrainians would “feel very let down” by the easing of sanctions.

AP News - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and outlined how the U.K. was ramping up measures to crack down on Russia’s economy.

ABC News - The U.K. government, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, lawmaker Emily Thornberry, U.K. Trade Minister Chris Bryant, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Alexander Kirk from the NGO Urgewald, European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho.

The Kyiv Independent - Officials from the President's office in Kyiv.

WHAT:

ABC News - A trade license that came into effect permits the import of Russian oil refined into jet fuel and diesel in third countries such as India and Turkey.

The Kyiv Independent - The U.K. government issued a general license for maritime transport of Russian LNG, which allows transport and delivery of LNG by ship from Russia's Sakhalin-2 or Yamal LNG terminals.

Bloomberg Markets - The U.K. will allow imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian oil processed in countries like India and Turkey.

The Kyiv Independent - The U.K. government issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to strengthening sanctions on Russia while maintaining market stability.

ABC News - The U.K. government has delayed some new sanctions on Russian oil.

Bloomberg Markets - The U.K. will allow imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian oil.

ABC News - A trade license permits the import of Russian oil refined into jet fuel and diesel in third countries.

The Kyiv Independent - A license permits imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil processed in a third country.

The Kyiv Independent - The U.K. issued a general license for the maritime transport of Russian LNG, expiring on January 1, 2027.

The Kyiv Independent - The U.S. has extended a 30-day sanctions waiver allowing the purchase of Russian oil shipments already at sea.

WHERE:

ABC News - The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for oil.

The Kyiv Independent - The U.K. government web portal.

WHEN:

The Kyiv Independent - The trade license took effect on May 20, 2026, and is indefinite but can be revoked or suspended at any time.

The Kyiv Independent - The U.K. issued a general license for maritime transport of Russian LNG on May 19, 2026.

The Kyiv Independent - The license takes effect on May 20 and is indefinite.

The Kyiv Independent - The general license for LNG transport was issued on May 19.

The Kyiv Independent - The license expires on January 1, 2027.

WHY:

ABC News - The U.K. government aims to shelter Britons from the cost-of-living squeeze triggered by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war.

The Kyiv Independent - The U.K. government aims to protect critical supply chains and maintain market stability amid rising fuel prices due to the Iran war.

ABC News - The U.K. government aims to help Britons cope with rising costs from the Iran war.

The Kyiv Independent - The U.K. government stated it is committed to strengthening sanctions on Russia while maintaining market stability.

HOW:

The Kyiv Independent - U.K. Trade Minister Chris Bryant apologized for the "clumsy" handling of the sanctions announcements and stated that the licenses would be reviewed regularly.

ABC News - The U.K. government is phasing in a package of sanctions announced in October.

The Kyiv Independent - The U.K. government acknowledged confusion over the sanctions announcements and apologized for the handling of the situation.

(UPDATED May 21, 2026 08:12 UTC)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the U.K. government is phasing in a package of sanctions and has issued a “targeted short-term” license for refined products, which includes a trade license that permits the import of Russian oil refined into jet fuel and diesel from countries like India and Turkey. Lawmaker Emily Thornberry expressed concern that Ukrainians would “feel very let down” by the easing of sanctions, while U.K. Trade Minister Chris Bryant acknowledged the "clumsy" handling of the situation and assured that the licenses would be reviewed regularly. This trade license took effect on May 20, 2026, and is indefinite, although it can be revoked or suspended at any time as the government aims to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures stemming from the Iran war's impact on the Strait of Hormuz.

(UPDATED May 20, 2026 23:22 UTC)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the U.K.'s efforts to intensify measures against Russia's economy. In a move to balance sanctions with market stability, the U.K. has issued a general license for the maritime transport of Russian LNG and will allow imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian oil processed in countries like India and Turkey. U.K. Trade Minister Chris Bryant acknowledged the "clumsy" handling of the sanctions announcements and assured that the licenses would be reviewed regularly to protect critical supply chains amid rising fuel prices linked to the Iran war.

(UPDATED May 20, 2026 13:52 UTC)

The U.K. government has delayed new sanctions on Russian oil, allowing imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian oil processed in third countries, while also issuing a general license for the maritime transport of Russian LNG that will expire on January 1, 2027. This decision comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other officials aim to help Britons cope with rising costs linked to the Iran war, while still committing to strengthening sanctions on Russia and maintaining market stability. The new license takes effect today and is indefinite, as the government works to clarify its sanctions approach following some confusion in the announcements.