Ukrainian NGO Razom We Stand urges the UK government to close loopholes in its expanded sanctions against Russia. Highlighting subsequent exemption measures that undermine the ban on LNG maritime services and refined fuel imports.
Ukrainian campaigners at Razom We Stand have both praise and criticism regarding the UK Government’s latest sanctions targeting Russian fossil fuel revenues. The group praises positive steps forward in efforts to reduce funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The organisation warns, however, that newly introduced exemptions, alongside the delayed implementation of previously announced measures, risk weakening the overall impact and allowing continued revenue flows to the Kremlin. We further critique the immediate carve-outs that hollow out the long-awaited Maritime Services ban on Russian LNG, which undermine restrictions on Russia’s largest LNG export capacity.
The regulations announced yesterday include new restrictions on UK-linked maritime services for Russian LNG exports, as well as measures addressing imports of third-country oil products refined from Russian crude. But General Trade Licence exemptions allow continued UK involvement in key Russian LNG projects until January 2027, while imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian oil in third countries remain permitted, with no defined end date.
Dr Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, said:
“We welcome the UK Government’s steps to strengthen sanctions on Russian fossil fuels. This is a move in the right direction. But exemptions and delays weaken their real-world impact at a critical moment for Ukraine, and we critique these compromises strongly.”
“To truly end fossil fuel revenues funding Russia’s war, the UK must close remaining loopholes and ensure its policies match its stated commitment to Ukraine.”
Campaigners call for urgent action
Razom We Stand is calling on the UK Government to take the following urgent steps:
- Fully implement a comprehensive maritime services ban on all Russian fossil fuel exports, not just LNG, but also coal, and all crude oil and petroleum products as well, ensuring it is applied without delay or weakening exemptions
- Close exemptions for Sakhalin-2 LNG services, which lack any clear European energy security justification
- Set a clear and binding end date for the General Trade Licence, exempting imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude in third countries. Ensure full alignment with earlier UK commitments to phase out Russian fossil fuel trade, without indefinite licences or delayed implementation
The organisation stressed that while recent measures show progress, continued exemptions risk undermining international pressure on Russia’s economy.
Razom We Stand reiterated that fossil fuel revenues remain a central source of funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and that inconsistent implementation of sanctions weakens collective efforts by Ukraine’s allies.
The group urged the UK Government to act swiftly to ensure that all announced restrictions are fully enforced, without carve-outs that allow continued flows of fossil fuel revenue.
