Russia admits it may have to import gasoline from abroad

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Moscow has launched two mechanisms that the Kremlin describes as key measures for the fuel market. Special tax conditions have been created for both.

"We have two key measures that are currently being implemented, and for which preferential tax conditions have been created to ensure economic viability. The first measure is imports," the deputy prime minister said.

The second step is a reduction in the mandatory volume of gasoline sales on the exchange, from 15% to 10% of production.

Russia's government has also limited price fluctuations in trading, setting a cap of no more than one-hundredth of a ruble per transaction. This effectively represents direct state intervention in exchange mechanisms.

"First of all, this decision was discussed at a government task force meeting. It is one of the measures aimed at stabilizing the situation on the exchange market. The requirement has already been reduced from 15% to 10%—the decision has been made. It has also been decided to limit price fluctuations on the exchange to no more than one-hundredth per transaction," Novak explained.

The proposal to reduce the requirement was previously put forward by the Federal Antimonopoly Service and the Energy Ministry of the Russian Federation.

The changes are set to be in effect from July 1 to September 30, 2026—covering the summer period when fuel demand traditionally rises in Russia, while Ukrainian long-range drones continue striking Russian refineries.

Meanwhile, Russia's fuel market is facing a crisis due to strikes on oil refineries, with gasoline prices in the country posting their sharpest increase in 20 years.

Amid shortages, dozens of regions have introduced restrictions on gasoline sales, including the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, which produces around 40% of Russia's oil.

Moscow has already requested 50,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline from Kazakhstan to help cover its domestic shortfall.