Russia May Lower Fuel Standards as Shortages Bite

Russia may temporarily allow companies to produce lower-quality gasoline and diesel and permit lower-quality imports as it tries to ease a fuel crisis triggered by Ukrainian attacks on its refineries, the Kommersant daily reported on Monday.

Citing a draft government document, the newspaper said Russia may allow the production and import of Euro-2 standard gasoline and diesel with higher sulfur content, which have been banned in the country since 2013, for one year until July 2027.

Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in the fifth year of the war, triggering widespread fuel shortages and sharp price rises as Kyiv tries to push Moscow back to the negotiating table.

President Vladimir Putin acknowledged at a meeting with government ministers and other officials on Sunday that Ukrainian drone strikes had caused fuel shortages in some regions, but said Russia was dealing with the situation.

(Reuters, Max)