On 19 May 2026, the UK Department for Business and Trade issued two General Trade Licences under regulation 65 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, providing narrowly defined authorisations for specific energy flows.

The first licence provides that permits a person to “supply or deliver, by ship, liquefied natural gas from the Sakhalin‑2 LNG terminal or Yamal LNG terminal to a third country,” as well as to supply or delivered from one third country to another third country, and to provide financial services and brokering services in connection with those activities. These authorisations are subject to conditions, including that the activity fulfils a contract with a duration of one year or less and that the LNG originates at the specified terminals. The licence will expire on 1 January 2027.

The second licence states that it permits the import into the UK of diesel and jet fuel processed in third countries from Russian crude oil,” and also permits “the provision of certain services and actions related to their import.

DBT Minister of State, Chris Bryant MP said: “On 20 May 2026, the UK introduced new sanctions to further target Russian revenues and degrade its ability to wage its illegal war in Ukraine. Alongside these measures, general trade licences for refined oil and liquid natural gas (LNG) were issued to ensure a managed and phased implementation of complex restrictions. The licences respectively permit the import of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude and limited UK involvement in the maritime transportation of certain Russian LNG on the spot market. They provide targeted, temporary flexibility to safeguard UK energy supply and global market stability. They will be kept under close review and may be amended, suspended or revoked as appropriate.”

LNG GL General trade licence: maritime transportation of liquefied natural gas - GOV.UK

Diesel and Jet Fuel processed in third countries firm Russian Crude GL General Trade Licence for sanctioned processed oil products - GOV.UK

Find out more about ongoing sanctions and Know-Your-Customer challenges through the Baltic Know Your Customer (KYC) Platform. Click here to access today.

To learn more about KYC and the Baltic Know Your Customer (KYC) Platform, please click here.