LONDON (AP) — The British government has discreetly relaxed certain restrictions on Russian oil in a move aimed at shielding households from rising living expenses following the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.

A new trade license that took effect on Wednesday allows the import of Russian crude that has been processed into jet fuel and diesel in other countries, including India and Turkey.

The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, along with Tehran’s decision to close the strait — a vital passageway for roughly 20% of global oil shipments — has driven fuel prices sharply higher worldwide and raised fears of jet fuel shortages.

U.K. Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson described the adjustment as “temporary and narrowly focused,” stressing that it applies only for a limited period and under specific conditions.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Britain has stood firmly behind Kyiv, with officials maintaining that the country’s sanctions regime remains among the strictest imposed on Moscow.

However, Emily Thornberry, chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that the decision would leave Ukrainians feeling “deeply disappointed.” She argued that continued pressure on Russia’s oil sector is essential, saying it plays a critical role in weakening the country’s economy.

The United States has likewise softened some of its restrictions. Earlier in the week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent approved a 30-day extension of a waiver permitting the purchase of Russian oil shipments that were already in transit.

On Tuesday, finance ministers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and fellow Group of Seven nations released a joint statement reaffirming “our unwavering commitment to continue to impose severe costs on Russia in response to its continued aggression against Ukraine.”