UK announces new measures to curb evasion of anti-Russian oil sanctions

UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant has announced plans for new legislation aimed at tackling the evasion of sanctions on Russian oil.

As reported by Sky News, speaking during a hearing in the House of Commons, Chris Bryant said the government is working on a bill to address the problem of Russian crude being refined in other countries and ultimately entering the UK despite existing restrictions.

MPs raised concerns about sanctioned Russian oil tankers continuing to pass through the English Channel.

Bryant said Russia had "sought to avoid, evade, all our sanctions at every step of the way", which means restrictions needed to be constantly reviewed and updated.

He said sanctions had halted 99.6% of Russian imports into the country.

Bryant added that the UK is "always going to have to keep on ratcheting up the pressure" on Russia while its war in Ukraine continues.

On 24 February, the UK announced its largest sanctions package against Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, introducing nearly 300 new measures designed to limit Russia's energy revenues including from oil exports and targeting key suppliers of military equipment.

On 24 February, the UK government also announced a new package of military and humanitarian support.