Why is the UK easing Russian oil sanctions?

This Is Why · May 21, 2026 · 15m

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Britain has sanctioned Moscow’s economy in an attempt to weaken Putin's war machine. But this week, the UK introduced a new exemption allowing diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil to enter Britain via third countries.

So, has Britain quietly relaxed its sanctions on Russia? And more broadly, have Western sanctions actually worked?

Niall is joined by Tom Keatinge, founding director of the Centre for Finance and Security at defence and security thinktank the Royal United Services Institute, to explain what sanctions are designed to do, whether they change…