The New Development: UK Pulls the Same Move Washington Already Did

The UK government issued a trade licence effective Wednesday, May 20, 2026, indefinitely permitting imports of jet fuel and diesel refined from Russian crude oil in third countries. According to The Guardian, the licence "will be reviewed periodically" — bureaucrat-speak for no firm end date.

The US Treasury, under Secretary Scott Bessent, extended its own 30-day Russian oil sanctions waiver. Britain has followed. The Western sanctions coalition on Russian energy is fracturing.

The Hypocrisy Timeline

Just Tuesday — one day before this waiver took effect — the UK signed a G7 statement reaffirming its "unwavering commitment" to imposing "severe costs" on Russia, according to BBC News.

In October, the same UK government announced it would ban oil products refined from Russian crude in third countries to "further restrict the flow of funds to the Kremlin." According to The Guardian, that plan was now shelved and reversed.

The 24-hour gap between the G7 statement and the policy reversal raised questions about the government's messaging to allies.

What's Driving It: Real Numbers, Real Pain

The Hormuz disruption is substantial. According to BBC News reporting, conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran beginning in late February has severely disrupted the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly 20% of global oil supply passes.

The price impact is concrete. Brent crude spiked from $73 to as high as $126 a barrel. European jet fuel prices more than doubled at the peak. UK petrol hit 158.52p per litre on May 19 — the highest since the conflict started, per RAC data. Diesel hit 185.9p per litre.

The RAC warned petrol could rise to at least 160p per litre in coming weeks without a dramatic drop in oil prices.

Several airlines have already cancelled flights and raised prices. The holiday industry is getting hit hard.

Where the Fuel Actually Comes From

The practical effect of this waiver: Indian refineries — which buy cheap Russian crude and sell finished fuel to Europe — are back in business supplying the UK. Russia refines in large quantities through Turkey as well, according to The Guardian.

This is the "loophole" the UK promised in October to close. India and Turkey buy discounted Russian crude, refine it, and sell jet fuel and diesel to Western markets. Russia still profits. The sanctions were designed to stop that flow. Wednesday's licence reopens it.

The Blowback Is Bipartisan — and International

Emily Thornberry, chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I've heard from people in Ukraine overnight and I know that they are very disappointed... 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."

That statement came from a Labour MP criticizing a Labour government decision.

The Daily Mail reported Ukrainian fury as an immediate reaction. Ukraine's allies felt misled.

Tory critics called the move "insane," according to The Guardian. That's Conservative opposition aligning with a Labour foreign affairs chair.

The UK government's defense: it claims "overall sanctions got tougher" while requiring "extra flexibilities." No specifics were offered on what got tougher.

What Coverage Often Misses

Most outlets frame this as a difficult-but-necessary economic decision — as if the only options were "loosen sanctions" or "let planes fall out of the sky."

Emergency fuel reserves, coordinated IEA releases, domestic refining adjustments, and accelerated LNG deals with alternative suppliers are available tools that have received limited discussion.

Also significant: LNG sanctions were partially lifted too, according to BBC News. Liquefied natural gas represents a separate, substantial concession that directly funds Russian state revenue. That detail has received minimal attention.

The timing — one day after the G7 statement — raised questions about the government's consistency with allies.

The Immediate Impact

If you're filling up a car in the UK, prices are still climbing and may hit 160p per litre within weeks regardless of this waiver. Supply chain lags mean relief, if any, comes months later.

If you're Ukrainian, one of your most important Western allies quietly resumed funding the Russian war machine through a refinery loophole — the same loophole they promised to close seven months ago.

For Western resolve: the US blinked first. Britain has blinked second. The sanctions structure weakens one waiver at a time.