Russia considers reimposing full gasoline export ban

The Russian government is discussing the possibility of reinstating a complete ban on gasoline exports, Interfax reports, citing sources familiar with the discussions. The restriction was lifted at the end of January.

On March 19, Anton Rubtsov, head of the Ministry of Energy’s oil and gas department, said that if the balance of gasoline supply and demand is disrupted, authorities may impose a preventive export ban. He added that the government has an “effective decision-making mechanism” for this issue.

On February 25, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak noted that while the government does not rule out a future ban on fuel exports, there is currently no need for it, describing the domestic fuel market as stable.

A full gasoline export ban was initially introduced on August 31, 2025, following a sharp rise in wholesale and retail fuel prices, and was lifted in late January.

By Jeyhun Aghazada