In order to stabilize the domestic fuel market, the Russian government on Thursday banned the export of gasoline and diesel with immediate effect. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s order referred to a temporary measure; However, no deadline was given.
“The temporary restrictions will help saturate the fuel market, which will subsequently allow prices to be reduced for consumers,” the government in Moscow said. Only a few exceptions were allowed, including for government-agreed deliveries in the Moscow-dominated Eurasian Economic Union, as the Interfax news agency reported. The background is the sharp rise in fuel prices in Russia.
Gasoline and diesel were also in short supply in some regions, especially in the south of the large country, which is important for agriculture. The government had previously tried to increase the amount of fuel traded on domestic exchanges. The prices that agricultural users have to pay were specifically monitored. Despite Western sanctions due to the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is one of the largest exporters of gasoline and diesel.