Greenpeace reaction to Russian diesel import

A tanker has deliver 33,000 tonnes of Russian diesel to a UK port, exploiting a loophole in government sanctions [1] that allows Russian fossil fuels to continue to be delivered to the UK, despite a ban on Russian vessels.

In reaction to news reports about the Russian diesel delivery, Emily Armistead, Programme Director at Greenpeace UK, said:

“The government’s sanctions against imports of fossil fuels from Russia contain a loophole so large oil tankers are sailing right through it.

“A ban on Russian-flagged and Russian-owned tankers simply isn’t enough, there needs to be an explicit and immediate ban on Russian oil and gas too. This shipment of diesel, along with other fossil fuels that have been allowed to enter the UK since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is filling Putin’s coffers and helping to fund the war. It has to stop.

“To stand up to Putin, bring bills down and tackle climate change, the Prime Minister’s new energy strategy must get us off fossil fuels as fast as possible, prioritise cheap, clean, homegrown renewable power, and stop the colossal energy wastage from our homes.”