What stands behind the UK's high-profile decision on Russian energy and what's the problem
20 May began with headlines claiming that London was "loosening sanctions" on Russian oil and gas. BBC, The Guardian, The Times – all reported on it.
British politicians posted emotional comments, accused the government of rolling back sanctions policy and expressed support for Ukraine. However, as the day went on, it became clear that the situation was far more complex than the initial headlines suggested.
For Ukraine, the new British sanctions act S.I. 2026 No. 543 is neither a catastrophe nor a "capitulation". But it does indicate a shift: the West is moving towards a more pragmatic model of sanctions policy.
Read more about what actually happened in the column by Ukrainian MP (Holos party) Lesia Vasylenko: A time of major changes in sanctions: why the UK’s decision on Russian oil is a challenge, but not a 'betrayal'.
The author explains that the adopted sanctions act allows the British government to issue temporary licenses for the import of diesel and aviation fuel if they were refined from Russian oil in third countries. It also temporarily permits certain transport and intermediary services for exporting liquefied natural gas from Russian projects such as "Yamal LNG" and "Sakhalin-2" under short-term contracts.
"This decision does not mean that Britain has lifted the existing strict legal ban on such supplies," Vasylenko stresses.
According to her, this is not about repealing sanctions, but rather about stepping back from a political commitment to enforce them in the most rigid way.
"This is certainly unwelcome news for Ukraine, because it means that London is not yet ready to fully and immediately close all routes for Russian oil to return to Western markets via third countries," the MP writes.
She explains that the reason is not a change in attitude towards Ukraine, but an attempt to avoid a shock to the domestic market.
"London is trying to avoid a sudden fuel shock, give energy companies time to build up reserves, adjust logistics and prepare for a potentially longer and more comprehensive ban in the future," Vasylenko notes.
She emphasises that this is not a retreat from tightening energy sanctions, but rather a more gradual approach to their implementation. In effect, London is signaling to the market to prepare for stricter restrictions in the future while giving businesses and the energy sector time to adapt and avoid sudden disruptions.
At the same time, the Ukrainian MP warns that any exemptions create a dangerous precedent.
"Other countries may start demanding special conditions for themselves, gradually weakening the effectiveness of the sanctions regime. And the Kremlin will inevitably use this in its propaganda as evidence that the West is supposedly 'tired of sanctions'," Vasylenko points out.
However, she adds, the British decision also contains a counterargument.
A full reading of the document shows that there has been no general rollback of sanctions policy. Alongside these exemptions, the UK has significantly increased pressure on Russia in other areas, she notes.
In her view, it is incorrect to say that "sanctions have been weakened". But it is equally incorrect, she adds, to claim that "everything is fine".
What is happening, Vasylenko concludes, is a pragmatic recalibration of sanctions policy.
"This is not a betrayal of Ukraine’s interests. But it is a new reality and a new challenge, to which Ukraine must remain systematically prepared," she summarises.