Britain apologizes for easing sanctions against Russia
The British government apologized for its decision to soften sanctions against Russia in order to prevent shortages of diesel and aviation fuel.
According to Ukrinform, Bloomberg reported this in an article.
UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant told Parliament that the move, which followed a similar decision by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, had been handled "clumsily," and that the license would soon be suspended.
"We've handled this clumsily and that's entirely my fault and I apologize: we've ended up giving the wrong impression of what we're trying to do," Bryant said, pointing to the leadership the UK has shown so far on sanctions against Russia.
The easing of sanctions provoked criticism both in Britain and Ukraine because the decision was seen as placing the government's desire to reduce the cost-of-living burden on British citizens above the need to pressure the Russian economy during the war, Bloomberg noted. It also marks a divergence between the UK and the European Union, which often coordinate sanctions policies, as the EU currently does not plan similar measures.
British officials told Bloomberg that the move weakens the government's arguments for allies in the Group of Seven to maintain and strengthen sanctions against Russia. Previously, the government had criticized U.S. moves to lift certain sanctions affecting Russia.
Fuel prices have risen sharply since the outbreak of war between the United States and Israel against Iran in late February, which caused disruptions at oil refineries in the region. Easing restrictions on aviation fuel produced from Russian oil, mainly in India and Turkey, is considered one possible way to lower prices in Britain.
The license softens the impact of sanctions that came into force earlier this year and were intended to limit Russia's ability to profit from the oil and gas sector.
As Ukrinform previously reported, the British government allowed the import of diesel and aviation fuel produced abroad from Russian crude oil in order to counter rising domestic prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
At the same time, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the current oil sanctions against Russia remain in force.
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