Russia Announces Total Gasoline Export Ban Starting April 1

The Russian government announced on Friday that it will implement a comprehensive ban on gasoline exports beginning April 1.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak officially instructed the country's energy ministry to draft the resolution necessary for this restriction.

According to the state-run TASS news agency, the ban is scheduled to remain in effect until at least July 31.

This decision follows a period of heightened volatility in the global oil and petroleum products markets that has concerned international traders.

Novak attributed the current market instability to the ongoing geopolitical crisis in the Middle East, which has triggered significant price fluctuations across the globe.

While foreign demand for Russian energy resources remains high, Moscow is currently prioritizing domestic price stability and internal reserves.

Government officials stated that current crude oil processing volumes are consistent with last year's levels, ensuring a steady stream of materials.

This production rate is intended to guarantee a stable supply of oil products for the Russian domestic market during the four-month restriction period.

The decision comes after several Russian regions and controlled territories in Ukraine experienced notable gasoline shortages throughout the previous year.

Those shortages were exacerbated by a combination of seasonal demand spikes and technical disruptions at various Russian oil refineries, including a recent strike in the Leningrad region.

Moscow has frequently utilized temporary export curbs on both gasoline and diesel to control domestic inflation and address localized supply gaps.

Industry data indicates that Russia exported approximately 5 million metric tons of gasoline last year to various international partners.

This volume translates to roughly 117,000 barrels per day that will now be diverted back into the domestic infrastructure.

The administration of President Donald Trump is expected to monitor the situation for potential impacts on Western energy costs and global supply chains.

Market analysts suggest the ban could further tighten global supply just as the high-demand summer driving season begins.

Officials in Moscow maintain that the measure is a necessary precaution to protect the internal economy from external energy shocks.

The energy ministry is expected to finalize the resolution details over the coming weekend to ensure implementation by the April 1 deadline.