Britain has pledged to phase out imports of Russian diesel and jet fuel by the end of the year, a move that government sources say is driven by national security concerns and a desire to sever energy ties with Moscow. The announcement, made quietly via a departmental memo on Friday, marks one of the most aggressive timelines yet for weaning the UK off Russian fossil fuels.
Documents obtained by this paper show the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has instructed fuel suppliers to end all contracts for Russian-origin diesel and aviation kerosene by 31 December. The directive applies to both direct imports and indirect supplies routed through third countries, a common loophole used to bypass sanctions.
A Whitehall source with direct knowledge of the plan told me: 'We cannot rely on a state that funds its war machine with oil revenues. Every litre of Russian diesel burned in a British truck is money going into Putin’s pocket. That ends this year.'
The decision comes amid mounting evidence that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is being fuelled in part by continued energy exports to Europe. While the UK has banned Russian crude oil since March, refined products like diesel and jet fuel have remained legal, accounting for an estimated 12% of Britain’s total diesel supply in August, according to trade data analysed by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Critics argue the timeline is unrealistic. The UK’s refining capacity has shrunk dramatically over the past decade, making it heavily reliant on imports from Russia and other nations. A former oil trader turned consultant, who requested anonymity for fear of professional reprisal, said: 'You cannot just flip a switch. The logistics are a nightmare. Where will the replacement supply come from? Saudi Arabia? The US? They are already stretched.'
The government insists it has secured alternative supplies, pointing to recent deals with Norway, Qatar and the United States. But industry insiders say those contracts often come with higher transport costs and longer lead times, which could push up prices at the pump. Diesel prices in the UK have already climbed 3p per litre since the announcement, according to the RAC.
Downing Street’s spokesperson declined to comment on specific sources, stating only that 'the government is working closely with industry to ensure a smooth transition and maintain energy security.' That language has done little to soothe hauliers and airlines, who face the prospect of supply disruptions during the peak winter season.
The aviation sector is particularly vulnerable. British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair all rely on jet fuel imported from Russia for a portion of their supply. A senior executive at one of the major airlines told me: 'We are trying to source non-Russian fuel, but the global market is tight. There is a real risk of shortages if this is not handled carefully.'
Environmental groups have welcomed the move, though they accuse the government of dragging its feet. Greenpeace UK’s energy campaigner said: 'This is a long overdue step. But the real test is whether the government will now stop licensing new oil and gas projects at home. You can’t claim to be cutting ties with Russian oil while opening the door to North Sea drilling.'
The geopolitics are equally fraught. The phase-out strains relations within the G7, where the US and Germany have resisted similar hard deadlines for fear of economic fallout. A diplomatic cable seen by this publication reveals that British diplomats have been lobbying EU counterparts to follow suit, arguing that the continent’s dependence on Russian diesel is a 'gap in the sanctions net'.
On the streets of London, the response is mixed. A cabbie fuelling up at a Shell station in Southwark said: 'If it means Putin loses, I’m all for it. But if it means I’m paying £2 a litre, then no thanks.' That tension between principle and pocketbook will define the next three months.
The bottom line: Britain is betting it can break its addiction to Russian diesel and jet fuel in just 90 days. If it succeeds, it sends a powerful signal. If it fails, the cost in pounds and political capital will be steep.
