EU Delays Diesel Sanctions on Russian Crude Until January 2026
The European Union has confirmed that a key provision of its newly adopted 18th sanctions package against Russia, aimed at targeting fuel made from Russian crude oil, will not come into force until January 21, 2026.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Bloomberg.
According to official legal documentation published over the weekend, the regulation will ban the import of refined petroleum products, such as diesel, that are produced in third countries using Russian-origin crude.
The decision effectively closes a major loophole that previously allowed Russian oil to circumvent EU sanctions by being processed elsewhere, particularly in countries like India, and re-exported to Europe in the form of diesel and other fuels.
Although the measure was formally approved on July 18, the European Commission introduced a six-month transition period, granting diesel markets temporary relief from immediate disruptions.
Rabobank analyst Florence Schmit remarked that this last-minute reprieve would give importers and traders critical time to adapt, easing short-term pressure on an already strained European diesel market.
“The EU has given diesel markets some breathing room with the last-minute publication of the six-month transitional period for imports of Russian refined products obtained from third countries,” Schmit added.
The forthcoming rules will require importers to document the origin of crude oil used in their shipments.
While more detailed guidance is expected in the coming months, early provisions suggest that exceptions will be made for fuel imported from countries that are net exporters of crude oil themselves.
Read more on The Gaze: New Sanctions against Russia – How they Reduce its Ability to Wage War