Why is the UK easing Russian oil sanctions?
This Is Why
Sky News
4.0 • 552 Ratings
🗓️ 21 May 2026
⏱️ 17 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
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 government behaviour, and why Russia is still making billions from oil exports despite years of restrictions.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Sky News, the full story first. |
| 0:11.2 | Sanctions on Russia have just been increased, |
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