EU Vows to Stand Firm on Russia as UK Explains Sanctions Decision

Brussels is testing support among G7 allies for a full ban on maritime services for Russian oil tankers.

The UK also greenlit separate license permits short-term service contracts with Russia’s Sakhalin-2 and Yamal LNG projects through January 2027. (Photo: Russian.dissident, Wikimedia Commons)

However, recent decisions by the United States and the United Kingdom suggest securing approval may prove difficult, Jorge Liboreiro reported for Euronews.

The European Union has vowed to remain firm in its strategy to pressure Russia’s war economy, while the United Kingdom moved to reassure allies that its latest decisions do not amount to easing sanctions.

The British government caused confusion after publishing an open-ended license allowing imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude oil in third countries such as Turkey and India, where discounted Russian oil is purchased.

A separate license permits short-term service contracts with Russia’s Sakhalin-2 and Yamal LNG projects through January 2027.

The move reportedly caught Ukraine and several European allies off guard.

The office of Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was in “very active communication” with British officials to clarify the decision.

Zelenskyy’s sanctions envoy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, said concerns centered on the potential “additional revenues” generated for Moscow’s budget.