UNITED KINGDOM — The UK government issued a trade licence on Wednesday relaxing sanctions on Russian crude oil by permitting indefinite imports of jet fuel and diesel refined in third countries. The licence will be reviewed periodically.

The change allows imports of jet fuel from India, which was previously a key supplier to the UK and Europe. Russian crude is also refined in large quantities in Turkey.

The UK had previously announced it would block Russian oil refined in other countries to "further restrict the flow of funds to the Kremlin." On Tuesday the UK signed a G7 statement reaffirming its "unwavering commitment" to imposing "severe costs" on Russia.

The licence was issued as concerns persisted over the supply of certain fuels following the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran. The RAC said the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts stood at 158.5p on Tuesday, the most expensive level since December 2022.

Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson defended the move. "The government has announced yesterday this time-limited change to the rules around oil and refining given the extremes of the impacts of the conflict in Iran, and the impact of it washing up on our shores," Tomlinson said.

Foreign Affairs Committee chair Emily Thornberry questioned the decision. "I've heard from people in Ukraine overnight and I know that they are very disappointed and have been asking me why it is that Britain is doing this," she said.

Thornberry also said: "We're talking about our allies in Ukraine who have been fighting a war bravely against Russia for years and years with our support and they have looked to Britain as one of their most important allies and they don't understand, given that we promised that we would stop this loophole in October and we still haven't done it. In fact, it seems to have got worse. People feel very let down." She added: "Every time Vladimir Putin came to the negotiating table, he just takes the mickey." She said "the only other way of pushing forward is by stronger sanctions."

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also criticized the government. "After 18 months of 'standing up to Putin' the Labour govt quietly issued a licence allowing imports of Russian oil refined in third countries. Yesterday Labour MPs voted against UK oil and gas licences. We are now importing from Russia instead of drilling in the North Sea," Badenoch said.