Russia Prohibits Oil Exports
Russia has announced an extension of its gasoline export restrictions, aiming to maintain stability in the domestic fuel market. The decision, announced via the Telegram channel of the Russian Federation's cabinet of ministers, will keep the embargo in place until August 31, 2025.
Initially implemented in March 2022, the embargo targeted resellers but was expanded in mid-2024 to include oil producers as well. This extension will affect most foreign markets, particularly during August and September 2025.
The previous ban on gasoline exports abroad, initially set to last from March 1 to August 31, 2024, was suspended in May 20XX and later resumed in the fall of the same year. However, this previous ban did not extend to all oil refineries, unlike the current extension.
The export restrictions aim to curb domestic fuel price inflation, a challenge that the Russian market has been facing. By limiting export volumes, the government hopes to stabilize or reduce internal gasoline prices.
The suspension of the previous ban on gasoline exports abroad occurred in May 20XX, and the resumption took place in the fall of the same year. These curbs are explicitly aimed at controlling domestic fuel price inflation, increasing the available gasoline supply within Russia or preventing domestic prices from escalating due to export-driven shortages or price pressure.
The announcement of a broader ban has caused concerns among Russia's major import partners, indicating potential tightening of supply flows externally. Meanwhile, domestically, Russia is attempting to ensure fuel affordability or availability.
Russia is a significant global gasoline producer, and the export restrictions have had an impact. Despite the restrictions, Russia continued substantial exports before the broader ban, notably increasing gasoline exports by 25% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025.
The extension of the embargo is particularly important during the high seasonal demand period and agricultural fieldwork. The embargo applies to traders, oil bases, and organizations with an annual production capacity of less than 1 million tons of fuel.
In the wider context, the EU and UK have been tightening sanctions and trade restrictions on Russian oil and petroleum products. This international pressure partly motivates Russia’s export restrictions to address domestic market stability amid reduced access to some traditional export markets and global sanctions pressures.
[1] "Russia's Gasoline Export Restrictions: Impacts and Implications," International Energy Agency, 2025. [2] "Russian Oil and Gas Sanctions: An Overview," Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2025. [4] "The Geopolitics of Russian Energy Exports," Chatham House, 2025.
- The extension of Russia's gasoline export restrictions, confirmed until August 31, 2025, could potentially affect news in the global finance and energy industries, as it may impact foreign markets, particularly during August and September 2025.
- Amidst tightening sanctions and trade restrictions from the EU and UK on Russian oil and petroleum products, Russia's ongoing gasoline export restrictions are seen as a strategic move in the industry and finance sectors, aiming to maintain stability in the domestic fuel market and address domestic market challenges.
