Would the UK cope if we stopped the import of Russian oil and road fuels? The issue is becoming a topical one as pump prices rise ever higher on the back of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The UK has already said that it won’t allow Russian-registered or Russian-owned ships to dock in the UK, and has now announced a phased-in ban of Russian oil and refined fuels through 2022.
Pressure has been growing internationally, with the U.S. also investigating a ban and Shell announcing it would close Russian fuel stations, as well as apologising for its recent decision to buy a cargo of Russian crude on the cheap.
A ban sends a strong signal to Russia but comes at a cost.