Russia Plans Harsher Gasoline Export Ban Excluding Eurasian Union

Russia is set to enforce a stricter gasoline export ban in August and September to address rising domestic fuel prices, expanding the restrictions to include fuel producers who were previously exempt. The ban, expected to be announced imminently, will not affect supplies to the Eurasian Economic Union or countries like Mongolia with existing fuel agreements. This move comes amid a consistent increase in wholesale gasoline prices on Russia's St. Petersburg commodities exchange, with the Ai-95 grade recently reaching a record high. Russia has increased gasoline exports significantly in early 2025 despite domestic supply concerns, prompting government intervention. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry has denied that Russian port restrictions have halted Kazakh oil shipments, although new Russian regulations requiring foreign tankers to obtain FSB approval have raised concerns about potential delays. Industry sources remain optimistic that port access issues will be resolved shortly, minimizing disruption to Kazakh oil exports via Russian ports.