Processed Russian Oil Products: Sanctions

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Excerpts

Thursday 21st May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

This is a package of strengthened sanctions. The Minister for Trade has acknowledged, as I do today, that the communication of this could absolutely have been better, because these are strengthening sanctions. That is the message that we are very keen to communicate today to this House, to the other place and to the public. The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelensky last night. The President confirmed that he appreciates the support that the UK provides to Ukraine. We are very clear that we stand with Ukraine. We are supporting it with finance, military support and training for military personnel. We are clear that we will continue to put pressure on Russia.

In respect of the licences specifically and the considerations that we are taking into account, including market instability, the beneficiaries of such instability and potential price hikes could include Russia. That is one of our considerations with regard to these temporary licences.

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)]

My Lords—

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[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, we will hear from the Labour Benches next, then the Conservative Benches.

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)]

My Lords, the support from this country for Ukraine has been steadfast and bipartisan, and I regret very much what we are seeing. I think Mr Putin will be delighted to see the attacks on what is going on now. We have been steadfast in our support for Ukraine, and I think we have had a bipartisan approach to minimising the impact of events in the Middle East on people and businesses in this country. Can my noble friend the Minister confirm what she has said: that the sanctions package overall is stronger, while providing businesses facing complex supply chain issues with temporary flexibility? Can she commit to keeping this under review, with the aim of fully implementing the new, stronger sanctions regime as quickly as can possibly happen?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for reminding us all of the cross-party commitment to supporting Ukraine, which I know is felt strongly across this place. I absolutely confirm that the package of sanctions against Russia is stronger than it was two days ago. It has introduced new restrictions on oil products refined from Russian crude in third countries. It includes a maritime service ban on Russian LNG to restrict Russia’s access to the UK’s world-leading shipping and insurance services. I can also confirm, in answer to her question, that these are going to be targeted short-term licences and exemptions that will be reviewed regularly. We absolutely intend that they are only temporary.