Public sentiment surrounding the UK sanctions on Russian oil trade is largely skeptical and critical. Many commenters view these sanctions as ineffective and hypocritical, arguing that their impact on ordinary Britons will be more severe than on Russia. There is significant frustration regarding the perceived incompetence of the UK government and its double standards in international trade, particularly in light of other Western nations continuing to purchase Russian oil. Support for countries like India buying Russian oil is also prevalent, as commenters advocate for economic sovereignty amidst perceived Western imperialism.

UK Government

European Union

United States

India

Some articles submitted to /r/unitedkingdom are paywalled, or subject to sign-up requirements. If you encounter difficulties reading the article, try [this link](https://archive.is/?run=1&amp;url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/huge-blow-for-putins-war-machine-as-uk-sanctions-russian-oil) for an archived version.


*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/unitedkingdom) if you have any questions or concerns.*

AutoModerator

we hadn't already?

just take and sanction everything we can, cripple them while vlads in charge

DDTTIDF

In 2021 we imported from Russia: 

22% coal, 9% oil, 4% gas

Today, we're at:

0% coal, 3% oil, 0% gas 

Oil was banned in 2022, but that 3% is coming from russian crude oil refined in other countries into oil derivatives

This new sanction bans the import of russian oil refined in third party nations.

ToxicHazard-

China and India will continue to buy Russian oil regardless, then resell it to the UK.

UnlikelyHabit279

I read that as Pontins war machine. Would be funnier. I’m tired…

Crivens999

Huge blow? I think we overestimate the impact this will have. Russia has resellers like China.

Rorasaurus_Prime

I don't understand why we sit and watch their ships float past in the channel. But maybe that's just me. 

richardbaxter

For a long time, Russian oil was sold to countries such as India, who refined it into petrol, diesel and jet fuel, and we then bought that jet fuel and diesel . Since refineries work on a batch process they couldn't even justify it as "mixed up with legitimate oil".

Since we dont refine enough diesel, most diesel is imported and UK consumers have probably been funding Russia when buying diesel.

Smart-Resolution9724

It's been nearly four years since Russia's invasion. How is this only just happening now?

iluvatar

Too little too late, just like Poland in 1939.

Honestly do people never learn, you can’t reason with these meat-head dictators, you have to put them down and the best way to do that is economically as that destroys their ability to wage war in the first place.

In short, giving Putin *more* money for energy products than is sent to Ukraine to fend Putin off simply isn’t going to work.

Common-Ad6470

Well this will mean fuck all if we have a reform land slide will it

TheWhiteManticore

[deleted]

This is good but 'huge blow' is overstating it, unless it's a diplomatic precedent that leads other countries who are buying a significant amount to do the same.

Astriania

They even used the "illegal and unlawful" words. So cute.

MerakiBridge

Since when did Gov.UK become a reputable news source? 🤷‍♂️

Bengaul

“Russian oil is off the market”
Might be wishful thinking, but anything that helps Ukraine I’m all for.

DataGeek101

I can only apologise on the UK’s behalf that this news is only coming out today. It has taken far too long.

pppppppppppppppppd

This should have been done years ago. But ok. Still a positive announcement.

Senseofimpendingtomb

50_61S-----165_97E

VintageHacker

Phobos1982

TLDR - about fucking time.  Are we the only ones who saw IVAN threaten the UK with nukes?  And the UK’s response is,,, yes more oil please?

FunBobbyMarley

Thus far nothing has been a "Huge blow" against  Putin’s war machine but we can always be hopeful.

Adeptobserver1

Didn’t this happen in 2022 or did the uk just realize Ukraine was at war and sanctions were being employed by western nations to pressure Russia to back down.

toodytah


Привіт u/pppppppppppppppppd ! During wartime, this community is focused on vital and high-effort content. Please ensure your post follows [r/Ukraine Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/about/rules).

**Want to support Ukraine?**  [**Vetted Charities List**](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/charities) | [Our Vetting Process](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/charities-vetting)

**Daily series on Ukraine's history &amp; culture:**  [Sunrise Posts Organized By Category](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/sunriseposts/)

**To learn about how you can support Ukraine politically, visit r/ActionForUkraine**

*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ukraine) if you have any questions or concerns.*

Must have been working at breakneck speed to sort this in just three years. Yet the UK government announces this, expecting a pat on the back and congratulations.

Kim-Jong-Un-II

UK sanctions don't do squat....not when they're cosying up to RuZZian oligarchs in the HoL.  They never worked in the first instance and then they dropped them as soon as Putler made a few phone calls....

We're the weak-child of Europe and no longer in that club...Huge blow...maybe when Sir Keer gets down on his knees.....

Morta-Nius-73

TIL the UK hadn't sanctioned Russian oil 3 years into their war

hajemaymashtay

The official statement https://www.gov.uk/government/news/huge-blow-for-putins-war-machine-as-uk-sanctions-russian-oil doesn't make any mention of Indian firms directly

ApplicationMaximum84

Users often report submissions from this site for sensationalized articles. Readers have a responsibility to be skeptical, check sources, and comment on any flaws.

You can help improve this thread by linking to media that verifies or questions this article's claims. Your link could help readers better understand this issue.

*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/worldnews) if you have any questions or concerns.*

Modi and India Not Giving Trump Attention is making trump impatient.He wants a headline saying india has stopped buying russian oil and India has opened its market to usa.But reality is india usa trade is not big enough.

Daredevil_M

1. Total UK exports to Russia amounted to £1.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2025, Turkey (56 billion dollar - yes the other NATO country, and netherlands, germany and south korea have done their fare share)
2. US still gets the uranium (exempted till 2028), also only country that is allowed to buy oil from Venezuela
3. Ireland trade with Russia climbed 50% (currently 750 million euro), croatia trade with russia increased by 31%, france by 10%

The biggest group i.e Right Wing + Left Wing + Minority Extreme Left, all 3 groups' followers are pro-Russia in India. India will not stop dealing with Russia.

InterestingFormal623

In May 2024, USA ambassador to India Eric Garcetti claimed that Indian purchase of oil was allowed by USA to control the prices. Now somehow it is violation of USA regulations. Creating rules to justify own trade with Russia and trying to force others to stop trading is hypocrisy of the Western world

  
[https://www.statecraft.co.in/article/not-just-us-whole-world-wanted-countries-to-buy-russian-oil-ambassador-garcetti-on-india-s-imports](https://www.statecraft.co.in/article/not-just-us-whole-world-wanted-countries-to-buy-russian-oil-ambassador-garcetti-on-india-s-imports)

hsting61292

Dude just shat on the most pro-US indian government to date. Anyone else comes to power, they will have an even more extreme stance towards the Americans

Dhadiya_Boss

1. India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability.

2. India's imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion.

3. The European Union in 2024 had a bilateral trade of Euro 67.5 billion in goods with Russia. In addition, it had trade in services estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023. This is significantly more than India's total trade with Russia that year or subsequently. European imports of LNG in 2024, in fact, reached a record 16.5mn tonnes, surpassing the last record of 15.21mn tonnes in 2022.

4. Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment.

5. Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilizers as well as chemicals.

6. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.


-New Delhi

August 4, 2025

Jeevesh_Sharma

Justcoffeeforme

India buying Russian oil lowers the worldwide price of crude. It actually helps the world economy. Trump is just playing the bully.

Designer_Buy_1650

Thank you Mr. Trump for this. A portion of the younger generation was actually starting to think of the US favorably, keen for India to slowly move away from Russia. With the rhetoric spewed in past couple of days, you have made sure the new generation will not trust US to be on our side. Way to throw away the goodwill earned in last couple of decades, proving once again US can't be trusted. Thankfully we are not dependent on the US for our defense supplies or food.  We will surely manage. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

mightyn0mad

Lmao.. Trump must be spiralling in his head. 

Mr pedophile thought like the rest of countries and eu, India will fold down to his threats. Not expecting that India knows too how economy and world Trade works.

Griffindor-69

India has been sanctioned to oblivion in past for Nuclear tests. We didnt care then, neither are we going to care now

no1bullshitguy

Imagine if India and China put aside their distrust and join hands to form a huge block of free trade with 3 billion people between the two countries. The SEA and South Asian countries will follow and join hands. That would instantly trounce EU and US economies. 

Who am I kidding. 😂

ThatsAllFolksAgain

We told trump to fuck off on his face while uk, eu and others have bent the knee. His ego can't take the hit.

Ashamed-One-Not

brager1990

Such a sorry state of west that a country has to come out and state the blunt truth like this. Good job you orange bastard

uneducatedDumbRacoon

India has once again assumed a categorical position by doubling down on its sovereign, economically driven choice to source Russian oil. Where are we headed moving forward?



I’m not an expert on trade or economics, but from what I understand, this could very well be a negotiation tactic. Trump’s approach clearly breaks with the Biden administration’s quiet accommodation of India’s energy pragmatism.



India doesn’t seem to be backing down. There’s no policy reversal, nor is there any indication that India will halt oil imports under external pressure. However, India is actively working on its energy security by enhancing resilience and reducing overdependence on Russia through the strategic diversification of crude sources. This includes a rise in imports from the U.S. and Brazil, alongside other imperative measures.



Shouldn't this reassure Washington that India is acting not as a rogue actor, but as a pragmatic and responsible energy consumer operating within the constraints of its domestic imperatives and global partnerships?



I hope all the trade and energy rhetoric remains in a diplomatic sandbox and doesn’t spill over into the broader strategic relationship between India and the U.S. The next decade is critical for India as it aims to realize its military modernization goals, many of which hinge on support from the U.S. I sincerely hope the current turbulence doesn’t derail India’s progress in narrowing the military and strategic gap with China in the Indo-Pacific region.

The-Aetheric-Leaf

Conservatism and double standards? Say it isn't so. Rules for thee but not for me!

ryudo6850

Honestly, India has a point here. The US and EU talk about isolating Russia, but they’ve still been buying Russian energy and critical resources when it suits their interests. Meanwhile, they expect countries like India to completely cut ties, even if it hurts their own economy.

It’s kind of the classic double standard in geopolitics—“do as I say, not as I do.” Every country is going to prioritize its own energy security first, and India is just being upfront about it. If the West really wants a global embargo, it needs to hold itself to the same rules it expects everyone else to follow.

Whereas_Numerous



The classic moral lecturing from the West, a bunch of hypocrites

Present-Anteater6848

I support the stance India is taking....India is already suffering from inflation...adding extra fuel prices if imported from ME would be a very big burden for the India's working class. India needs to take care of its own.
India has been sending medical supplies as well continuosly to the Ukrainians. The hypocrisy needs to stop

ex_king_of_ayodhya

The truth many Americans refuse to accept

dpk1357

Icy_Walrus_5035

You don’t lose the respect of people who actually wish to have fantastic relations with you. Hypocrisy thy name is the west.

theindianheat

Double standard? By Trump? 
Entire world is like: first time?

Feuertotem

I think it's clear that not only the govt, but most Indian people believe that not only shouldn't we listen to childish tantrums and endure bullying by Mr. Trump. But also point out the hypocrisy that is fueling this narrative. 

I don't know if India and China should band together but they should definitely show the Western powers their place, given 30% of the world population lives in just these two countries. Probably it's time to even bury some of the differences. 

Ukraine this. Ukraine that. Spare us. We don't care about your wars. You have never cared about ours. Please find a seat.

Future_Definition_55

Definitely a double standard scenario here. Glad they are calling the US gov't out on it  i do encourage them to reduce trade with Russia tho. Putin and his oligarchs are evil human scum.

wh0_RU

seaweedizcool

Brics Boys about to put epstein files on the "negociation" table

RegularFox2557

The situation is clear as daylight. The US is trying to bully India and Europe is as usual virtue signalling. They should have been aware that India, historically,  has never responded well to such threats and bullying.

SubstantialAction0

We are selfish. If we see a good deal, we will pick it.


Why? Because so is EU and so is the US. No further elaboration necessary.

CroatianArtist

We all know the arguments, we all know that pedo trump is trying to create distractions to take attention away from his horrible wrongdoings, we all know america is the prime sponsor of terrorism throughout the world and this is just another terrible attempt by them once again even if they end up severing their ties with all their allies. Trump is the worst thing on this planet atm, he is the enemy of peace. A bully will try to bully. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

samratkarwa

The US has imported around $5 billion in fertilizer from Russia since 2022

[https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/imports/russia/fertilizers](https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/imports/russia/fertilizers)

deepbluemeanies

The current government is the only government which at least wanted a good relationship with the US. This pedo fucked that up too. Even the new generation who thought of creating a good relationship with the US and moving away from Russia is now changing their views due to these clowns actions.

milkymist00

Glad that finally there is an official statement to punch Trump in his face. Borderline incestuous pedophiles have no right to run this world as if it was their own house.


But I will forever remain thankful to Donald Trump (despite what I just wrote), for exposing that no matter whether it is BJP or Congress, the US is not a trustworthy ally. Forget ally, the word should be 'partner'. An untrustworthy partner. Import their goods, export ours, but never get blinded by their lies like 'partnership of the century', 'free and open world's blah blah blah.


And maybe, we could now focus more on developing some solid hard power rather than just influence. Let's make the most worthless defence equipment but at least start producing them on a mass scale. Target - export. Then, gradually improve their quality and reliability to wean off our dependency on both US and Russia, because honestly, anything can change in a second. Let's not get sentimental about both the US and Russia because it is an issue of national security.


And of course, fuck Trump.

Right now that's the US in a nutshell, do what I say not what I do.

Bubbaganewsh

Everyone knows that exports from countries like Germany to other countries neighbouring Russia have gone up by 700% since the war started. Sanctions are just a good PR stunt, but no one will sacrifice their economy for Ukraine.

mastablasta1962

&gt;India calls out US, EU over oil trade with Russia; pans double standards. 

The distinction is that India is literally the I in BRICS. From the US perspective, BRICS are the bad guys.

CharlesForbin

xenocideMadridKKR-07

It is a bit different. Modi declared him as friend. I believe the West, as long as we can consider this under this Orange Clown, didn’t do that.

Reginald002

Its the seller and the buyer accusing each other

Calling out the hypocrisy doesn't really work, though, because neither side is actually doing the first step to end that trade. The moment one opens their mouth, the other side's hypocrisy becomes one's own.

ganbaro

Will the thing is whenever US does it: it is right. Everyone knows that fact already. America is right, America does it, don’t disobey America.

MrSquigglyPub3s

Two things can be bad at the same time. Continuing to trade with Russia in view of its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is bad regardless of whether it’s India, the US or the EU doing it. All this to say neither of the three doing it is an excuse for the other two to as well.

Haru1st

Imagine telling Trump he is full of it and expecting it to change anything for the better in 2025. If you repeat this two times until Trump gets a picture book from his advisors, he will triple down.

Why would a sovereign nation listen to a Epstein client.

Social_Giant

EU trade with Russia is now around 80–85% lower than before the war, showing that the EU has largely done its part. A further drop to 90% is expected soon. Meanwhile, India’s trade with Russia has increased nearly sixfold since the war began.

Dazzling_Star_5118

For this reason I look forward to the rise of the BRICS nations - Not only to be able to call out blatant hypocrisy but for there to be some force behind it

bitchcoin5000

But wait, only white countries can fight wars, when others fight, it's a circus, according to the west...



India shouldn't be included in a conflict of another third world nation. Ukraine doesn't matter to us. Fight your own wars on your own. If you can't then don't poke Russians. When you don't have guts, don't expect others to save you

I will never support Ukraine because they bought weaponry from pakistan, which actively funds terrorist organisations which will kill me if given opportunity in my own country.

APURVA-DON3

I wonder what part of Russia exports to EU are to pro-russia Hungary and Slovakia. US imports from Russia are worth 3 billion and Indias imports are worth 64 billion so really can't compare those.  They might have  point with EU, but even it has reduced their imports and have have dropped  86 %  since start of the war.

[link](https://sofiaglobe.com/2025/05/21/eurostat-eu-imports-from-russia-dropped-86-between-q1-2022-and-q1-2025/#:~:text=Eurostat:%20EU%20imports%20from%20Russia%20dropped%2086%25,and%20Q1%202025%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Sofia%20Globe)

Antother thing is that extra tariffs are only for importing energy not other harder to replace imports.

jargo3

So trump is bullying india who is weaker than china because china has already shut off their mouth and putin is not answering their call classic they are bullying the weaker country unable to take on the stronger china chinese have really build a great country good for them

Rudra9431

The link you have provided contains keywords for topics associated with an active conflict, and has automatically been flaired accordingly. If the flair was not updated, the link submitter MUST do so. Due to submissions regarding active conflicts generating more contrasting discussion, comments will only be available to users who have set a subreddit [user flair](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205242695-How-do-I-get-user-flair), and must strictly comply with [subreddit rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime_titties/about/rules). Posters who change the assigned post flair without permission will be temporarily banned. Commenters who violate Reddiquette and civility rules will be summarily banned. 

*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime_titties) if you have any questions or concerns.*

Another useless EU motion to show some kind of activity on the sanctions front, when the situation demands some kind of a "stern response" to the ongoing events from them. It's entirely unenforceable, and frankly a huge joke at  this point to think that the 17th time you try something the results are going to be somehow different from the 16 times you've tried in the past.

The so called "shadow fleet" isn't even Russian, and isn't by any means illegal. It's a moniker for oil tankers operating without western insurance; older ships, flagged to third countries, engaged in sanctions avoidance. They are just outside the western regulatory and insurance frameworks, which isn't inherently illegal. And a self-inflicted wound at that, with all the insurance revenue lost in the process.

These ships are sailing through international waters. Under UNCLOS they have every right to pass. No laws are being broken.

Illicit my ass. Western sanctions are for western countries to comply with. If they a problem with something that is born out of sanctions avoidance, they can always just lift them and allow the "shadow fleet" to be "properly" insured by themselves again. Problem solved.

And yet the EU countries have the gall to claim that it's Russia that is increasing the risk of incidents that could lead to further escalations in this war - after they sanction ships carrying Russian oil, try to close the international waters to them, and even intercept them while in those international waters causing Russia to invoke reasonable self defense. Which they promptly cried about as an aggressive, unjustified, and of course, completely unprovoked response.

VintageGriffin

Just track where the oil goes, and don't buy oil from there. Looking at you, India. When India sells it to x country, don't buy oil from x. Remove the market, remove the tankers, remove Russia's war chest.

ICreditReddit

They should board them for inspection, and seize them if found to be carrying contraband, and then turn them over to Ukraine as reparations.    That would hurt Russia in the pocket book hard, embarrass Putin, and help Ukraine.   A triple win.

IntrepidAd2478

The UK government has implemented targeted sanctions against major Russian oil companies amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

UK Sanctions on Russian Oil Trade

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

Parties Involved

What the people want