Russia Plans August–September Ban on Most Gasoline Exports to Cap Prices

Russia is preparing to impose a broader ban on gasoline exports within days in an effort to rein in rising domestic fuel prices, three industry sources told Reuters. The measure—expected to be announced as early as Monday—would for the first time cover sales by major fuel producers, expanding existing restrictions that currently apply only to small volumes traded by resellers. The ban is slated to run through August and September and would allow exports only to the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union and countries such as Mongolia that have inter-governmental fuel-supply agreements with Russia. Similar export curbs were introduced several times over the past two years when domestic shortages pushed pump prices higher. Wholesale prices for the popular Ai-95 grade on the St. Petersburg commodities exchange have climbed since early July, reaching a record 76,293 roubles ($963) per tonne last week. Russia produces more than 40 million tonnes of gasoline annually and shipped about 2.51 million tonnes abroad in the first five months of 2025, a 25 percent increase from a year earlier, with Egypt and Turkey the main buyers. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier this month that the government was examining the fuel market to determine whether additional steps were warranted. The impending ban comes as separate EU and UK sanctions on Russia’s energy sector take effect, measures that analysts say will have only a limited immediate impact on Moscow’s oil and gas exports.