The British government has apologized for easing sanctions against Russia. Trade Minister Chris Bryant called the decision ‘clumsy’ and announced that the license for commodity deliveries would be withdrawn as soon as possible. The measure was published late Tuesday evening, May 19, and sparked a storm of criticism.
The background to the easing was the fear of a diesel and kerosene shortage in Britain. Fuel prices had risen sharply after the outbreak of war in the Middle East, as refineries temporarily shut down. The license was intended to allow the import of kerosene made from Russian oil processed in third countries such as India or Turkey.
The decision met with sharp rejection not only in Ukraine but also within Britain. Critics accuse the government of prioritizing the fight against the cost of living over pressure on Russia’s war economy. The EU had previously signaled that it was not planning any similar easing, raising concerns about a divergence in the Western sanctions front.
Source: 24tv.ua
